1957 Proof Lincoln: Cameo??

I saw this listing on ebay and it looked like a pretty good price if it's cameo, but I'm not sure. Any feedback would be appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-GEM-PROOF-LINCOLN-WHEAT-CENT-L-K_W0QQitemZ140296412472QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item140296412472&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ebayphotohosting

 

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OK thank you.

 

I agree with Scrooge. Not a CAM. Incidentally, the way the coin was photographed (low light angle) gives the photo the appearance the coin is more frosted than it really is.

Hope this helps...MIke

 

p.s. if you're interested in purchasing a coin like this, I would suggest you just get the entire proof set from the year -- they are common, and can be found for not much more than this coin was offered for. With a little searching, you'll be able to find a nicely cameoed penny, and the rest of the set to boot!

 

Thanks leadfoot, I'll look into it.

I just looked on ebay and the cheapest one is almost $30. That's a little out of my price range.

 

You should be able to do better than that. Keep looking...or save. Good things come to those who wait.

 

That is definetly a cameo to me ,but not a ultra cameo the first coin that is. You could tell by the contrast in the fields they appear black against the elements of the coin ,a regular proof coin will not have that look.
Jazzcoins joe

 

He has pictures of the reverse in the description.

 

They have them at coin shows for about 27 bucks for the whole 1957 proof set last time I checked.
I got my '57 proof wheatie for $1.50 with free shipping.

 

Oh, there is no question I could get a better deal, but the question was whether it was cameo or not and if it is, then it would be a deal. It looks cameo to me.

 

Not a cam.

Be wary of the photos of these coins -- sometimes a coin that doesn't have much cameo in-hand can appear quite different in photos. It is not a coincidence you see many of these types of photos on eBay.

Indirect low-angle lighting (as in the eBay photo) and extremely diffused lighting (aka "the lampshade method") are two techniques that are used. The former was used in the eBay auction, and the latter in the photo below (which is a DCAM, but not nearly as impressive as the photo):

 

There are two seperate pics of the coin seems strange to me the first coin is definetly a cameo coin obverse and reverse

The obverse of the second coin does not seem cameo ,but the reverse is.

In order for it to fit the descrption of a cameo coin ,both sides have to be cameo not just one side of the coin ,and it seems he's trying to pull a fast one the seller taking to different shots of the coin and trying to confuse you. I would stay away from this purchase

Jazzcoins Joe

 

I tried it and it didn't look nearly as good as that one.

 

Which technique did you try?

The Ike photo was done with the lampshade effect, and while the coin is quite deeply cameoed as it is, this technique makes it look even more cameoed.

Low angle light (particularly if it is diffused) does the same thing, but with a lesser effect.

 

I took pictures from a low light angle. Could you please explain the lampshade method?

 

Place coin on floor. Place lampshade on top of coin. Place lights on outside of shade pointing at coin (preferably multiple lights). Position camera over coin looking down through top of lampshade. Take photo.

Also works with a few pieces of paper taped together to form a cyllinder.

 

OK thanks I'll try it on my proof Eisenhower.

 

I tried it and it worked well and I would be able to show you if my camera didn't have mental problems.