I don't want to mess around on this one. This coin is from a trusted source, so I don't question it's authenticity. But, as always, let me know if you see something that doesn't look right. Die pair 3 confirmed by the rotation? I'd like your opinions on grade and what a fair offer would be! The pics came in dark and I had to play with the brightness/contrast, etc to get it to show up. He is supposed to be sending me better pics.
As best I can tell, it looks to be authentic die #3, but is it corroded? I would also have a little concern that the coin would come back as a weak "D" rather than a no "D". You might have to get it in had to really know. (BTW, no "D" = nothing visible under 10X power.) As for grade, I think you would go 30 maybe 35 - assuming it is not corroded. Pricing, I would stay away from it unless he gets it certified. On Heritage (certified only) VF coins go from $350 to $1350. Those coins pricing is all over the map. Remember, those are certified. Yours is not.
Well I surely don't know much about Lincoln cents but I know what I see and I do not like those pics. One decent pic out of 3 or 4 is never good when you're spending money on a big ticket item. On that one pic the 2nd from the top, it certainly looks like there could have been a "D" there at one time. I agree with rlm on this one, have him get the cent graded or pass.
I called him after rlm's response and asked him about the corrosion and he said there was none. I also asked him if it was a weak D or No D, and he said he has had it under serious magnification and doesn't see a D. I had to play with the brightness and contrast, so there may be something going on with that. He's supposed to get me some better pics. I do know that he has been collecting a really long time and is pretty astute on his coin collecting. I've known him for awhile and trust him. He is offering it a fair price (as long as it is a No D, and based on rlm's grade). I'll post the new pics when I get them.
I am not trying to belittle anyone here, but if he is so sure it is good, why would he not be willing to certify it? I assure you he would have a lot easier time selling it if it were certified and would probably get more for it.
No doubt about it, rlm. He's just not into Lincoln's as much as he is into VAM's. He already has a coin from die #2 (I think it's 2, No D strong reverse), so he's happy with that one. Plus, I think he's just cutting me some slack knowing it would be going to a good home rather than the EBay slaughter house. Another thing I've noticed about him is once he gets one slabbed, he has a harder time letting it go. This coin has been in his collection for a long time and being new to collecting, I think he's just doing me a favor.
It looks ok to me but is really toned and spotted. If you like it I would try to get it as cheaply as you can just because of the condition. Like RLM said, the numbers are all over the board on pricing. If you are comfortible at $350 to $400 go for it. Just keep in mind that as soon as you buy this, the odds of dumb luck says you will find a better one that you could have bought instead.
I have to say that this coin would not be for me as a "No D". I think it comes back as a weak D if it gets sent in.
I'm still waiting for him to send me some better pics. He was going to send them last night, but I think I kept him on the phone too long. Again, the above pics were doctored by me. He said after he sent the new pics, if they weren't clear enough, he would send me the coin to inspect before buying. Can't ask for anything better than that. If I need to, I'll take my own pics and get back to you guys. Thanks for all the feedback, I'd rather trust a consensus opinion over my own, especially on such a sensitive coin. If worse comes to worse, isn't a weak D better than the hole in my Dansco?
Try a two tier agreement, price if returned from grading as weak D and price if graded as no D. I think you are getting a weak D, the third picture has what appears to be an outline of the bottom of the D. Coins this subject to questioning should always have an independent evaluation and guarantee.
Thanks for the feedback. He's had problems with his internet (some kind of tree accident involving his house). So, he can't e-mail or anything else. I've talked to him on the phone a few times. He's seems pretty sure it's a No D. He's supposed to be back up and running no later than Monday. Hopefully, I can the pics by then or sooner. As soon as I do, you guys will be the first to know/see.
Now I am positive. That is a weak "D". No way that will go for a no "D". From the marks around the date, I doubt seriously that anyone would grade it other than details/genuine. You absolutely need to leave that alone.
I'm looking at this picture and I can't for the life of me figure out why he doesn't see that. I think there is clearly a weak D there. I like the guy and have a lot of respect for him, but I think he's way off on this one.
Just to give you an idea of what you need to get a no "D". look at this coin http://cgi.ebay.com/1922-Lincoln-Ce...mQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item4ceea688ba. His pix are not too bad and I see no sign of a "D", but NGC still called it a weak "D".
