I have no coins yet so i took a picture from a coin of the internet where the only thing mentioned was the name. So with this picture and the things i learned so far i went to work. These are my findings and i would like to know how wrong i am [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Coin:Lincoln Penny[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Date:1909[/FONT]Mintmark:S [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Condition/ Grade: MS-64 Who sais i am right and who sais i am wrong thanks[/FONT]
One peculiar thing about this coin is it was struck with the initials VDB on the reverse. This increases its value at least 10 fold. This is the key to lincoln cents, and by far the rarest. Its a weird thing, but for this coin you must always list its VDB, so its date would be 1909 VDB mintmark S. They also made 1909 S coins without initials, and 1909 VDB's without an S mintmark. Its the only year it happened. Sorry, but you picked a very unusual coin to try to catalog. Chris P.S. Thinking about it, I am not sure if the date is 1909 VDB, or the mintmark would be S VDB. Anyone have an opinion? Using the mintmark as S VDB might make more sense.
Based on the image provided, it looks like an MS65RB or MS66RB to me - too nice for an MS64. I see hardly any flaws, and the surfaces are mostly free of spots, stains, streaks, etc., which often plageue copper coins. Of course, there might be hidden flaws, but I can only go by what I can see in the image. Edited to add: The coin should properly be described as "cent" not "penny", and as a 1909-S VDB, not a 1909-S. Also, copper/bronze coinage typically receives a color designation ("BN", "RB" or "RD"), in addition to a numerical grade. And it's "says", not "sais".
You missed the 'VDB'. That's sort of important. Also with uncirculated copper you want to include the color in the grade (e.g., MS-64 RB).
what is the RB for? (MS65RB) I also cn only go for the picture unfortunatly dont have any coins yet to grade myself. and just my luck that i choose to grade that is unusual so it is actualy: Coin:Lincoln Cent Date:1909 Mintmark: S VDB Condition/ Grade: MS-65 RB
'VDB' is not part of the mintmark; it is the designer's initials. The coin should be described as "1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent".
It's not just cents and half cents which receive color designations, but two cent pieces, as well. For that matter, bronze/copper pattern coins of other denominations also receive such designations. Also, the widely used designation for 'brown" is "BN", while "RD" is typically used to designate a copper/bronze coin as "red".
But, he had a format in which separated out date, mintmark, and grade, and that was it. I was trying to shoehorn in this unusual coin into that tight format.
Wouldn't it look more like this? Coin:Lincoln Cent Date:1909 Mintmark: S Variety: VDB Condition/ Grade: MS-65 RB
so the BR, BN and RD is also used for other copper/bronze coins. Good to know. With your comments i have made some adjustements to my gradingtemplate i have on my computer to ensure myself i have not forgotten things. So i thank you all again for the help.