At the local coin club meeting this week I picked up a lot of 20 early Lincoln Cents. I had my eye particularly on the 1909-VDB for Thalia Elizabeth, since she didn't have one, and I thought that I might also share other of the coins with her, and perhaps maybe "upgrade" a few of my cents as well. As it turns out, the 1917-S I had in the album is in quite rough shape, worn into the letters on the obverse, which would barely make it an AG-3 (unless you're with the Gold Foil Grading Service, in which of course it is MS-100! :rolling: ) The one in the lot looked a lot better... however, I wonder if it has been cleaned at some point. That's what I think. [EDIT: I have better pictures now posted below... about 7 replies down]
Really hard to tell, but I don't think so. Either way it looks like a nice new addition for your collection. :thumb: What condition is the VDB? Sounds like you had a good day, and good luck on getting better pics. :thumb: Phoenix
Tough to tell from the pics, but I would say that it has been cleaned. But it does has nice details for replacing a low end coin out of a folder.
OK, I read some of the threads on coin photography this morning, and decided to break out that macro lens for the Digital Rebel that I bought with the camera and have hardly used... I also jerry-rigged a "stand" (from model train boxes!) which still needs work. Namely, there is a "slot" that I can place the coin into (to which the tab of the plastic box fits into), but that obscures the very bottom of the coin. I hope I have jumped from outstandingly incompetent to approaching mediocre with these shots: First the 17-S from my original folder: Obviously very beat up! Now the upgrade that I think has been cleaned: Just weird wear on the "AMERICA" even though the wheat ears don't look too bad. Phoenix, you asked about the 09-VDB (not an S!) and here it is. It amazes me that the macro lens is so sensitive that even the slight tilt of the coin to avoid the slot in the box lid causes some lack of focus! But you get the idea... It won't win any prizes and it won't be slabbed, but it's OK for a 98 year old cent! This does encourage me to try some more coin photography at some point. Now, to have something worth photographing!
This date is more challenging than 1916 S in most grades, as fewer were sharply struck. Consequence of overextended die usage during the critical wartime period. (David W. Lange - Lincoln Cents)
those are very nice pics!!! :thumb: much better then i have been able to achieve. So pat yourself on the back The first 1917 has seen alot better days, the replacement 1917 looks alot better, but i dont see any eveideance of cleaning. The 1909 looks to be cleaned to me.... all nice coins
Wow, both just beautiful! Very nice stike on the 17 S. Makes you wish that S was on a certain other coin, lol. But both are nice examples, no cleaning that I can see, but not one good at determining it. Very nice. :thumb: Phoenix
