Three lincols that I would like opinions on. I am considering slabbing the '09s and the '14d Thanks Richard
09-S Might be MS, but I think 55. That would put it about $230 14-D Weak reverse does not help. VF25. About $325 when slabbed. 31-S The picture is too dark for me to read it will, but I would guess AU. Maybe $120?
IMO (then again I'm a hard grader) the 09S barring any wear to the wheat grains (not the lines at top but the actual kernels of wheat) it's an MS brown. The wear on the left wheat head lines (rev) and cheek and jaw on the 14D put it at a strong Fine. VF may be stretching it at least from the pics. I also think I see some dirt or verdigris starting between the I and B in liberty...hope it's just dirt. The 31-S you are looking I'd say a XF+ it's a strong XF and may even get an AU. The AU would depend on how much wear is on the wheat kernels and how dark the coin is and if it takes a ding if someone thinks it looks "ugly". There is also the same as the 14-D in the word GOD and the U in trust. Again hope it's just dirt. Grading I'd say the 09S is worth a shot seeing it looks MS and the higher it goes above 60 the better off you are with price. 14D may warrent it to try to get the VF or maybe even higher grade as it's worth more then. Also I notice a lot of 14-D's graded if nothing else because they are easily counterfeited by stamping a D but I don't think yours has that as an issue. The 31S again unless it doesn't look real I wouldn't bother. The supposed rule I've heard from dealers for grading is unless the coin is worth 5 times the submission fees + shipping/insurance (to and from) costs it isn't worth slabbing unless you are in very serious doubt of authenticity.
I like the wood graining on both the 1909-S and the 1931-S cents. I think the 1909-S is Au as there appears to be slight wear on the cheek and jawline. 1914-D is F15+, maybe VF20. 1931-S is about XF45- Picture is a little dark to be sure though.
"Stamping" a mintmark on a genuine Philly coin would be an alteration, not counterfeit. Assuming no problem examples, each coin is worth 5x the submission fee so your point is moot. The OP could submit economy by adding two other coins and end with a total per-coin fee of around $25. Considering the type and dates, it would be in his best interest to do so, especially since slabs will make his coins much more marketable now or sometime down the road.
I have no concerns about whether these are genuine as all three were reviewed at the 2010 Worlds Fair of Money by David Lange. He assured me of their authenticity but couldn't give any grades without me submitting them. At that time I was keeping them in a Dansco so slabbing them didn't make much sense.
