I have an undated wheat cent (see images). It lacks both a date and "Liberty," yet "In God We Trust" is clearly legible. Any ideas on its value? Causes?
Here is an ebay example of what you have. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1945-P-1c-Lincoln-Error-Missing-part-of-LIBERTY-Grease-Die-XF-/251149747760?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3a79b10630 Struck through grease for circulation coins is not terribly uncommon. This can happen at any time, year has nothing to do with it. Condition of the coin does not help your value. Go Steelers
I am guessing the date based on what I can see on my monitor, it seems there is enough there that looks like a 5 and 3 in the font that is right for the cent. I could be wrong but I don't think so.
This is a 1909 cent. The VDB on the bottom of the reverse is give-away. Now......are there remnants of an "S"mintmark?
I hate to tell you this, and I still have much to learn about Lincoln cents, but that has to be an 09 cent as the VDB is on the bottom along the rim of the reverse.
.....and the value just went from 2 cents to a couple of bucks. Maybe more if you find the right collector.
I think Darryl overlooked the VDB on the reverse because the photo was rotated 90 degrees; I missed it on the first look also, paying attention only to the obverse. I see no remants of an "S", so I'll agree with Red and BU.
Great catch. The dealer-friend I took it to put it under a scope and found fine abrasions, indicating that the date and "Liberty" were removed. He did, however, miss the VDB. So the value's gone back up again.
You're right - the damage doesn't raise the value. However, the revelation of the VDB does. Originally, it was a perceived error cent (struck thru grease) and had value. Recognized as a manufactured fake (date & Liberty removed), it was worth 1 cent. With the VDB revealed, the value has gone up again.
However, if submitted to a TPG, it would probably be body bagged because of the post mint removal of the date and LIBERTY, and that is enough to affect value, along with the fact there didn't appear to be a mint mark on the coin either, which would suggest it quite possibly was a Philly strike, which is not as rare as the San Francisco 09 VDB, or even the matte proofs.
When I opened this thread and viewed the OP's photo, my first thought was PMD because it looked like the date and LIBERTY had been removed. Now that I have read his comment about having it examined by a dealer, I'm pretty sure that is what happened, and the fact that it has VDB on the reverse makes no difference. It is still a damaged/altered coin worth face value except to a bidiot. Chris
