What gives? Over the years I've seen a number of Lincoln Cent pics with this odd "wood grain" toning pattern. I'm curious if there is any specific environmental, storage, minting, handling, metallurgical or other factors that results in this? I really don't find this attractive in fact it throws my OCD into a tizzy (LOL) it's very distracting, especially among a set of relatively even toned Lincolns. BUT...for a key or rarity it would serve as a nice hole-filler...for a while
Oddly, some folks find coins of this nature rather pleasing. Just as nuts like me enjoy laser etched 'moderns'.
I'm a huge fan of woodies but prefer the more evenly toned ones. I have heard from others here it is a fairly common effect of the material used for the early to mid-20th century coins, but no idea of the exact cause.
Yep. Poorly mixed alloy like Greenie said. I'm not one that looks for them but I do have a two cent woodie somewhere that's pretty eye catching.
I too enjoy finding these and have often thought of trying to put together a set of them. Maybe someday.
This is still my favorite but it has not been posted for a while. This is more traditional but appears more at some light angles than at others. It does appear that the bands of alloy have slightly different compositions, and that the resulting differences in reactivity yield different rates and intensities of toning.
Yes, poorly mixed alloy. Like you, I do not find that example in the OP to be particularly attractive, but "woodies" do have a devoted following in the hobby. I'd sell it to someone who appreciates that look more than you do, and get yourself a different one. (Believe me, I know about those OCD twinges...) It's not a bad coin. It just might not be the right coin for you. Unless your tastes evolve.
I think the obverse is beautiful. It reminds me of the paneling in my room growing up. The reverse, not so much.
The more I learn about "wood grain" the more this particular coin is growing on me. And with a mintage of ONLY 1,150 places it in the lower echelon of matte proof releases.
An update to my topic starter post: I'm now discussing with the dealer re possible purchase of this woodie 1915 Matte Proof Lincoln. Graded PR63RB red/brown asking $1,000. The latest GreySheet I have (July 2025) lists $750. Mintage 1,150 pieces (lower range of matte series mintages). IF I purchase this the ONLY Matte proof series needed to complete the Series will be 1911 and the pricey 1916 (1909 VDB is out of my range). Higher graded specimens on the BIG auction sites have been going for $2-3K+; similar graded on *bay asking $950-1,100 range. Most of my other matte proofs in this series have been ~PR64-65 affordability and more evenly RB toned. I'm finding this unique coin both a conversation AND education piece.
I am not necessarily a Lincoln guy, but I can appreciate a nice-looking one when I cross paths with it. Take into account my recent post of the 1909-S (S/ horizontal S) that I had gotten. I don't want to come off the wrong way, but that penny doesn't have much eye appeal without looking at the pictures. The pictures show that the coin is actually really attractive, but the further-out shot really doesn't do it justice. Just a quick search shows a comparable piece selling for $800 in 2023 with better eye-appeal, IMHO. But the availability of these proof coins isn't very fluid, so if you like it, I'd say buy it. I'm also a great advisor for bad purchases at times, so discount my opinion accordingly
I don't collect proofs at all, but love beautiful coins, and that one is gorgeous to me. Absolutely no idea what the "value" is but if you like it at that price that's all that matters.
