I have read several times that early Lincoln cents sometimes had a wood grain appearance because of something in the metal of the planchet...I don't remember why. Because this is a characteristic of the metal itself and therefore not only on the surface of the coin, I assume that circulated Lincoln's can also have the wood grain appearance. Is that a correct assumption? The reason I ask is I have going though the part of my coin collection I have photographed (I moved away from home to go to school and left my coins behind and I miss them) and I noticed one of them had what appeared to be a wood grain appearance that I hadn't noticed before...and it is a circulated 1909-S. Here is the photo of the coin. Would this be considered a wood grain Lincoln? Do coins with this affect typically carry a premium...and does that include circulated examples?
The alloy has not been properly mixed. I am not sure if that is always the case, but it is at least often the case. Actually, they probably most often carry a reduction in the price. It is kind of like toning on a Lincoln. If it is brown, it is a deduction, but some of them look like rainbows and carry a huge premium. Woodgraining does not have the extremes that I have seen for toning, but the same +/- idea. Again, it is in the eyes of the beholder. Some people avoid them completely and some try to find them. If you go to my profile, I have an album of them. Some of mine would probably carry a premium and some I probably got a bargain on because they are wood grained.
OK, that makes sense. I personally like the wood grain appearance...I think it has a really nice look. If I remember correct, this is typically only seen from 1909-1919...right? Also, I don't know if I missed it...but would this be considered a wood grain Lincoln or is it something else?
It is most common through the mid twenties or so, but I heard of a woodgrain set complete through the 1982's. I will bet that fellow put some work into finding those later dates. If you are asking if your coin is a woodgrain, I believe so although it does not appear very pronounced on your coin (or you pic does not show it).
Oh no! Late 30's and early 40's are pretty infamous for these too! Can't dig any up for you right now, but trust me. How good is my credit around here?
I always thought these were what they called Woodys? If it isn't, then what are Woodys? Ribbit Ps: I like Woodys (if that's what they're called). I think it adds character to them and sets them off from an "average" Lincoln.
I believe it is and I like them as well. I don't care for sets that all look the same. I wouldn't want a whole series of Woodys but they definitely do spice a collection up.
They get much less common after the mid 1920's though. It seems to me from observation the most prevalent woodies came out during 1919-1925, and are most often encountered with branch mint coins, as that was where the Philly mint would direct the improperly mixed planchets to go so they were not blamed for them. Some years are rather difficult to find nice clean non woody cents.
That's probably right, I couldn't say. IMO, though, these are very strange. And I've seen pictures of this pattern repeated all the way up through the mid-40's. These aren't the best examples, now, but they'll have to hold you; enjoy...
I just love this look....ive got one that looks like Tiger maple graining..light and brown coloured strips running on the bias across the entire cent. i wish i could post a pic.
Here is another thread to read. http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t48345/ And be sure to look at the 1925 at the beginning of the thread.
Yup, that's a woodgrain lincoln posted by the OP. There's no premium for these coins, and to the contrary most would agree that it detracts from the overall eye appeal. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Mike
