What a Lincoln cent is supposed to look like

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by GDJMSP, Feb 17, 2011.

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  1. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    This is what a Lincoln cent is supposed to look like. It is important to note though that there was a change made in 1918. Either the old hub was re-worked or a new hub was created. Either way the '18 and '19 coins have a LOT of detail when they are early die state.

    Here are pics of a particular 1919 Lincoln to show you what I mean.

    http://0.tqn.com/d/coins/1/0/p/A/-/-/wheat_penny_finest_known_cent_500.jpg

    http://0.tqn.com/d/coins/1/0/v/A/-/-/wheat_cent_finest_known_rev.jpg

    So when you go trying to grade cents dated 1918-1934, this is what they are supposed to look like. All other grades are based on this ;)
     
    GDJMSP, Feb 17, 2011
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  3. Kevo

    Kevo Junior Member

    Can i ask where you got got the pics? More importantly is that coin in a holder, and if so what grade did it earn? Thanks
     
    Kevo, Feb 17, 2011
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  4. illini420

    illini420 1909 Collector

    That is Stewart Blay's 1919 which is graded PCGS MS69RD... the only MS69RD Lincoln Wheat Cent ever graded by PCGS.

    [​IMG]

    You can check out that coin and many more here:

    http://www.coingallery.org/index.html
     
    illini420, Feb 17, 2011
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  5. TheNoost

    TheNoost huldufolk

    Almost looks like a doubled eye.
     
    TheNoost, Feb 17, 2011
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  6. coinmaster1

    coinmaster1 Active Member

    I've seen that one before. Beautiful coin...
     
    coinmaster1, Feb 17, 2011
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  7. MIKES3

    MIKES3 New Member

    The hair lines on the beard are incredibly detailed / visible.
     
    MIKES3, Feb 17, 2011
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  8. rld14

    rld14 Custom User Title

    You beat me to it! :D

    I was just gonna ask Doug is that was THE 1919 Lincoln.....
     
    rld14, Feb 17, 2011
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  9. rlm's cents

    rlm's cents Numismatist

    BTW, the dies were reworked in 1916 and, some believe, again in 1917. The only change made in 1918 I am aware of was the return of the VDB.
     
    rlm's cents, Feb 17, 2011
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  10. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    From Mike Locke's page on the subject -

     
    GDJMSP, Feb 17, 2011
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  11. rlm's cents

    rlm's cents Numismatist

    Th only thing I have is Lange's "Lincoln Cents" and it definitely states 1916. According to him, that die lasted until 1968. Although I cannot find it now, I have also heard that they were redone/touched up again in 1917. From the cents I have, I can assure you that they were recut in 1916 (although late 1915 is possible) and I believe something was done again in 1917. The details I watch all go down hill each and every year thereafter.
     
    rlm's cents, Feb 17, 2011
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  12. quartertapper

    quartertapper Numismatist

    I wish we could go back to a die state like that. the new low relief Lincolns often make me wonder why I even bother collecting anymore. Demand for coinage is down, mainly because of plastic. Why can't they slow down the manufacturing process, make a lot less cents, and make some quality pieces?
     
    quartertapper, Feb 17, 2011
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  13. au and ms coins

    au and ms coins Junior Member

    This is my guess: money. Slowing down production would mean the same costs for less coins struck.Plus, the mint already has those quality pieces in satin sets and proof sets.
     
    au and ms coins, Feb 17, 2011
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  14. sro114

    sro114 New Member

    I get chills every time I see that bad boy.
     
    sro114, Feb 18, 2011
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  15. EyeEatWheaties

    EyeEatWheaties Cent Hoarder

    says who? just curious because if any of the TPG's actually used that strike as grading criteria, then most cents would be graded in the low 60's
     
    EyeEatWheaties, Feb 18, 2011
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  16. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    GDJMSP, I'm surprised you didn't quibble about the weakly struck shoulder and the planchet defects visible therein. ;) On a serious note, what an awesome coin...Mike
     
    Leadfoot, Feb 18, 2011
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  17. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Again, if you had more experience you'd already know who. The coin itself says who.

    Experience and knowledge are important here again. For those with it know that the TPGs do not use quality of strike as a limiting grading criteria. Instead coins are graded based upon the known quality of strike for each date and mint combination. This coin exemplifies why that is so.
     
    GDJMSP, Feb 18, 2011
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  18. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Maybe because I don't believe they are planchet defects :D
     
    GDJMSP, Feb 18, 2011
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  19. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    Indeed....these are great reference pictures. Stewart is my Lincoln hero!

    For sure new master hub in 1916, that's well documented. I believe they just sharpened things up to account for wear in 17, 18 and 19...after that it was down hill. I've seen many nicely detailed cents from 17, 18 and 19.
     
    BadThad, Feb 18, 2011
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  20. coppermania

    coppermania Numistatist

    I do not see the top down grading scale as a practical approach. I think that the AU / MS line it one of the two most important factors in deciding grade designations (next to grade, no grade status). MS coins are judged from that point upward, not from one coin that made a 69 grade down. Interesting thought, but it won't help anyone grade the mass of Lincolns that fall in the MS 60 to 66 range.
     
    coppermania, Feb 18, 2011
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  21. jello

    jello Not Expert★NormL®

    jello, Feb 18, 2011
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