Who beleives that the written descriptions on this link are accurate ? http://www.lincolncentresource.com/Lincoln_Cent_Grading_Guide.html
Do the specifics hold true for each and every Lincoln - NO! (For instance the 1922) Do they generally hold for most Lincolns - YES.
I second rlm's comments. The standards apply in probably 95% of Lincolns. You'll also see dramatic changes when new hubs are produced - 1916 and 1969 for example.
since they are copied word for word from "The Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins" I have no problem with them as standard reference. there are those exceptions as stated by others. Richard