Very fine 30 BN. I'm really new and this is my first try at grading. (although I did try a guess on spocks 2 annas) From what I see it fits the description in guidebook of Lincoln Cents. Let's see what some of the other, more experienced collectors say though. Hope I'm at least closehya:.
before I guess anything, is the background paper your coin is sitting on white? If so, you have a lighting or setting problem that makes it hard to judge originality. The mm looks good tho, but has some gunk on the NE side of it. I'll look better tommorow, it's bedtime. As for wear ? yeah, a nice VF
yes the background setting is white, a sheet of paper, taken next to a 3 way light at the max, 150W, camera flash is off. I can take another photo tomorrow in the sunlight.
Very nice VF-35, might make an XF-40 with some better pics, tilting the coin like that I've experienced will sometimes "show" more wear than there actually is. But, that's what I can tell from the pics, very nice coin! :thumb: Phoenix
When I lightened the pic, it looks to me as though it has a good shot at XF. However, it also looks as though there is some corrosion on the rim below the bust and in "GOD". Hope it is just your pic, but I do not think so.
Yes there is a substance on the coin, I dont think its bronze disease it doesn't have the green color. I have thought of giving it a soak in olive oil, but it is a semi key 1909 S not a common wheatie found in pocket change. I'll try to post a better pic.
Here's another photo that may show the "gunk" on this coin a little better. It was taken with the sunlight shining on it. Not sure what this "gunk" is. Looks like a black tar substance.
I know there are different schools of thought on this but most say " one should not "clean " any valuable coins" What does Olive Oil do to a coin? Is it a different effect from Copper to lets say a Silver or Gold coin?
Not sure the effects of olive oil on silver or gold coins, so I wouldn't do it. I also wouldnt soak a coin with any value whatsoever in olive oil. Buried coins are commonly soaked in olive oil or sometimes mineral oil. In theory the soaking removes the crud without runing the patina of the coin. Its is important to remove all traces of the oil after soaking with a rinse in distilled water followed by a dip in acetone. Many treasure hunters do this to coins they find. There are some treasure hunters that subscribe to this website and I would suggest you ask them because they are the experts at this process. I have soaked a few corroded wheaties that I received in my change, and it dramatically increased the appearance of the coin.
With that lighting, I would say XF observe. Not too sure about the reverse, but I think those wheats are just a weak strike and it would make XF also. As for cleaning DON'T. Yes, there are ways to remove the gunk without resulting in a "cleaned" coin - if you know what you are doing. This is not the coin to practice nor learn on. BTW, olive oil will, in time, result in a bright, obviously cleaned coin on copper.
olive oil is mildly acidic and will eventually eat the surface of the coin. There is a product to use on copper that is much like using acetone on silver. its called xylol or xylene. The fumes can be somewhat toxic and flamable as well but it will only effect organics. As with all coins do not rub it with the xylol to clean it only soak it or you will scratch the coin. THis is definately something to test on many common dates before ever thinking about a key date. richard
The best thing to do is nothing. The coin is a very nice VF and trying to remove anything from the coin will only lower the grade or value, so why try.
Looks like just dirt to me, but I could be wrong. Whatever you do, DON'T clean it, lol. I still stand by what I said on grade for the moment, very nice VF-35, might have a good shot at a XF-40. Very nice coin! :thumb: Phoenix
