Hello everyone. I am a new member here. I have been a metal detectorist since 2009. It was raining here this morning, so I couldn't go detecting. I decided to look through the wheat cents I have found in the 5 years I've been detecting (I wanted to double check and make sure I didn't miss any key dates). Imagine my surprise when I found a 1922 no "D" !! While this is a dug coin with some environmental damage, the date is clearly visible, and there is definitely no "D" present. The reverse shows little wear, and I believe it to be the "strong reverse" variety. Now for the questions: 1) Does anyone know of a RELIABLE/REPUTABLE wheat cent specialist in the Chicago area who can assess the cent and determine if it is in fact the "strong reverse" variety (they could also determine if it is worth sending in for grading)? 2) There are a few other coins I've found that I am considering sending in for grading; some copper, some silver. ALL ARE DUG COINS. I would like to know if it's worth it to send these in. List is below. ***NOTE*** These are in my safe deposit box, so I might not be able to post pics of them for a bit. They are: 1914s wheat cent (F condition; env. dmg) 1908s indian head cent (rim nick; some verdigris) 1837 large cent (very worn; holed/pierced, but it's the only largie I've ever found) 1861 seated liberty quarter (F possibly VF condition; remarkable for its age) 1894o Barber dime (F cond) 1897o Barber dime (F cond; this coin and the 1894o are the only 2 coins I've ever found that have a mintage under 1 million) Your thoughts and advice are appreciated. I can try to post a pic of the '22 wheatie tomorrow (my apt is very dark @ night and my webcam doesn't take the clearest pics sorry).
'22 no D? You have to post (good) pics or no one will believe you. The reliable/reputable Mike Diamond is a member here. He'll give you his honest opinion.
Without pictures, there is little we can say. However, virtually all dug coins will not be graded. As for the 1922-, there are probably more counterfeits than real out there. And, the definition of a "no D" is that the D is not detectable with a 5X loupe. After being dug up, I would guess the odds are slim that a TPG would call it more than a weak D.
Gonna try to post pics. Here we go... sorry about the poor quality. I have to hold my webcam in my hand and it doesn't take the best pics. I hope they're at least a little bit of help.
I will swear I am seeing a D below that date. It definitely would not grade due to the corrosion. Hard to tell for sure, but XF details would be my guess.
Hi rlm. Thanks for the reply. That's what I thought, too. Looking at several pics online, though, the D is generally placed below the space between the 9 and the first 2. The "spot" or "object" on my coin appears to be between the first and second 2. This doesn't appear to be the normal spot for the mint mark (though I'm sure there are exceptions). There is also another spot just below (and to the left of) the first one. These may be small spots of corrosion/verdigris (it's hard to tell). I don't have a loupe or magnifier, so it's a mystery at this point. Is it still worth submitting, even though it will most likely just be given a details designation? If I get it slabbed, that at least proves authenticity, and it might be worth a little something if it's a no D. Any idea of ballpark figures for NGC XF details grading?? Thanks. Oh, does it cost anything extra to get a details cert? Or just the standard grading fee(s)? Do you have to specify you want a details grade or does NGC do that for you?
First off, a correction. With that reverse, there is no such thing as a weak D. Is it worth submitting - I still don't know. You need to take it to a reliable dealer to let them see it. It is going to cost you something like $40 per coin and maybe more. If there is any sign of a D, you would be lucky to get $20 for it. Without a D and certified as such it is a $2,000 coin without the corrosion. With that corrosion, I can only guess, but a lot less. As for the details grade, that is the terminology both NGC and PCGS use for an impaired coin - which yours definitely is. You do not have to ask for it or pay extra for it, but it does mean that you coin is not worth as much.
