Ready for some EYE CANDY? (Colorfully Toned MS Lincoln Collection)

Background

Like many coin collectors that grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, the Lincoln Cent Series has always been of great interest due to its familiarity & accessibility. Over the past few years, my numismatic passion has branched into a new area --namely Naturally Toned (NT) colorful coins, due to their unique beauty and relative scarcity. Natural toning on copper tends to be especially compelling with the full-spectrum of rainbow color represented.

Toned Lincolns

In 2011, I saw a set of rainbow-toned Mint State Lincolns being assembled by a collector named CopperColor -- and later a similar set by Robec.

By March 2015, I decided to assemble my own version -- so I began looking for a colorful Mint State Lincoln in the wheat-backed era (1909-1958) for every date/mint combination, which PCGS would bless as problem-free.

Though I didnt think I would be able to match or surpass the great coins accumulated by these great collectors -- I wanted to try. CopperColor especially has some really high grade monsters in his collection -- and I still consider his set #1 in the toned Mint State Lincoln genre.

Ultimately, I didn't care if the color class assigned by PCGS was red (RD), red-brown (RB), or brown (BN),as long as there was some color variation on the coin.

That being said, my primary focus is typically in those coins that PCGS assigns a color class of either brown (BN) or red-brown (RB), since those two color classes tend to display the most non-standard color. However I have found some red (RD) coins that display some really beautiful and varied color patterns.

So after 8 months of hard hunting and some good luck, I have almost completed the full set of colorfully toned Wheatbacks! My only remaining hole is the 1914-D -- though there are a few coins that I would like to upgrade.

Building an Antique Style Digital Coinboard

So after nearly completing the set, a few week ago, I wanted to try to build an antique style coinboard modeled after those popularized in the 1930's (post depression).

For my digital version, I wanted the entire board to be 1100 pixels in width which is a good size for posting on the coin forums. Also I wanted to split the wheat era into 2 equally sized and formatted boards so they looked like a matched set. After laying out a number of designs, I decided this 9 across style was the most appealing. And with 9 coins across (max) adding in a bit of margin … each coin face is 110x110 pixels in size That’s about as big as they can get in this format.

I could do another board “flipped over” showing the reverses, but I am not sure I have the energy for that endeavor -- right now at least. Robec also suggested an interactive board where you could mouse over the coin to see the flip side ... a cool idea ... but not possible in a static posted image.

It’s funny when you see the mint mark gaps laid out like this … I never realized how "choppy" this series was in terms of missing mints in certain years:

no D in 1909 or 1910 …
no D in 1921 or 1923 …
no P or S in 1922 …
no S in 1932, 1933, or 1934
no S in 1956, 1957, 1958

All the coin images are PCGS TrueView photos shot by photographer Phil Arnold (Thanks Phil!), which were cut out and resized to fit on this board. I like the fact these were all shot with the same camera, lighting, setup, and photographer … so the playing field is level. Easy to make side by side comparisons of all coins.

Hard to pick my favorites out of this group (the eye appeal monsters) but:

On Board #1, my favorites might be 1909 VDB, 1910-S, 1911, 1912, 1915-D, 1917, 1920-D, 1928, 1929-S, and 1932 ... even the 1931-D and 1931-S are cool looking

On Board #2, it’s hard to beat the 1934, 1936-S, 1939-D, 1940-S, 1942, 1943-S, 1945-D, 1946-D,
1950-D, 1950-S, 1955-D, 1956, 1957-D, and 1958-D

I flipped over the 1958 and 1958-D as both of those had monster reverses but more ordinary obverses.

There are only a few dogs in here: 1919-S, 1920-S, 1922-D 1932-D, 1941-S … I would also love to replace by 1909-S (still amazed that’s an MS65BN)

I thought about putting the grades on here … however I found that ended up just being distracting.

It was nice that top row center on board 2 was the STEEL CENTS. That was a lucky break as I didn’t make that an intentional decision. But I like the way that worked out.
Board #2 also starts and ends with some P/D mints only (1933, 1934, 1956, 1957, 1958), which is nicely symmetrical.

I had to use that TOP margin area for some coins (VDBs on Board #1 and 1933/1934 on Board #2) to get the rows to work out evenly in the body of both boards. It's not easy to get things to work out evenly in this choppy series!

THANK YOU's

I did want to post some THANK YOUs ...

To Robec for some very helpful feedback and suggestions made during my build process.

To CopperColor (and Robec) for inspiration on beautiful toned MS Lincolns, who initially peaked my interest in this series.

To Phil Arnold and the PCGS Photo Department for their stunning photography work.

 

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Phenomenal set!

Well done Winged Liberty. That set stands as an inspiration to us all.

 

That is one of the most impressive sets I've ever seen. Good job!

 

True. Beautiful collection.. Thanks for sharing!

 

You've done all this since March? Impressive.

 

I'm not one to collect Lincoln Cents, but this collection is in a class by itself. Outstanding work by a dedicated collector.

 

First, I'd like to say that's a heck of beautiful set. Extremely, extremely well done...

Second, I wonder if you could make the album interactive (I see @robec agrees) - you click on an image, and you get to see the other side, then the label. Or perhaps you mouse over and the front/back/label image pops up in a lightbox. Would still maintain the clean look of the album, but allow for people to see the labels.

 

Thats actually funny Winged. If you look at the situation, between you and Robec the both of you have inspired my Lincoln Collection. One day I will post my set and hopefully describe it in detail as well as provide a thank you note to you and Robec. Goregeous collection by the way.

 

Not only are the coins phenomenal, but the effort, time and creative ability to put together a virtual coin board of this beauty leaves me breathless.

I'm honored even being mentioned as a sounding board and my set as one of the inspirations to start this amazing set and board.

This set of WL stops at 1958, but his amazing set continues another 50+ years further. Those boards are just as impressive.

 

One word comes to mind........spectacular. Having viewed your purchases throughout the years this achievement on your part does not surprise me. It just goes to show what one person can do when they remain driven and focused on what it is they want to do. Enjoy your accomplishment and thanks for sharing it here with all of us in these forums.

 

Woah!

 

Stunning Collection! Well Done! Almost had to put on my sunglasses from the glare.

 

One of the most beautiful lincoln sets I have ever seen! Toned lincoln cents are some of my favorite coins.

 

WOW! (I don't know what else to say.)

Next time I see your hole filler, I will let you know.

 

That's just off the charts.

 

You did that in how long? That's just pure awesomeness! I usually just buy full sets because I don't have the patience but 8 months to put that together is just wow. You could have a go at assembling sets like that and selling them for a profit for sure like sunnywood did with his Over The Rainbow. I bow down go you sir

 

Really an amazing accomplishment, and what a great presentation! Hats off to Winged Liberty!

 

Stunning, absolutely amazing WL. Hats off to you Sir.

 

In case anyone wants to see the reverses, the grades, or larger images of the coins ... you can see all that in my Registry Set ...

http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/publishedset.aspx?s=133727&ac=1

 

Incredible collection! EXCELLENT....three thumbs up!