I found this little beauty within the 200 or so other wheaties i purchased from a local shop. I was kind of shocked to see this level of detail. Typically all the other early dates i find are barely identifiable. I'm not to sure that I like it that much, it does fill a hole in the collection but i don't enjoy the different tones on either side. There is an area above the "liberty" where the surface has been penetrated and raised up, leaving a small gash on the planchet. The photo does'nt represent this too well but if this is the case, does it render this individual worthless? the kicker is that i decided to purchase a single 1909 cent at the same shop since i got tired of my searches being fruitless of such. Then i find this one on the same day:goof:
I think its beautiful, except for that gash your talking about, but it has great detail and a nice rim.
You sure it's not a planchet flaw? I see a rub mark on the Left side wheat stalk, unless it's the light source- can't tell. Excellent find. Worth at least $20 in my opinion- if you sold on eBay, let's say.
Nice Lincoln. It is probably AU, but I think someone has messed with the reverse - at least. As for your "penetrated and raised up". That is a lamination. It occurs when the planchet separates during the minting. They are caused by some impurity (even air) in the planchet. It is probably does drop the value (not that dramatically) and is not that uncommon. The 28-D I pictured below has a major one. As for the color variations, your coin looks like it has some wood graining caused by poor alloy mixing. I doubt that your affects would do much for the value of the coin. It can be gorgeous and raise the value or bland and cut the value. I happen to like most of them - for instance the 16- below. Someone posted a 16-D (I think was the date) here that was absolutely stunning even for those who are not fans of wood grains.
here is the detail of the area i tried to describe thanks everyone. this is definitely the coolest penny i've found in a bag search. the help is appreciated
First off, that's a wonderfully original looking lincoln, IMO. Second, I agree with RLM that it looks like a lamination from the first set of photos (less so in the second set, but still looks that way). While most discerning collectors would value the coin slightly less for this as-minted problem, it doesn't lessen the value very much at all, IMO. All in all a wonderful coin, and from a group of wheaties -- amazing....Mike
I agree, it is, at the very least a fantasic hole filler. I've bought a few of these on the cheap and none looks that good.
