Good Day! I just bought the subject coin for $62.00. It's a 1909-S Lincoln cent; looks like strong F details and might even scrape in as a VF20. However, its got some very small rim nicks visible on the obverse and one on the reverse. I've included a photo. The photo shows the coin in a holder. I'm a hobbyist, not a dealer. I'd say this coin has very good eye-appeal otherwise. What do the experts think? Good purchase or not so good a deal? houston_ray
I would grade it F12. That is the cheek and beard are nearly with the face. The wheat lines are probably worn, but parts are probably still visible. As for the price you got it for...pretty good. Numismatic News January 2005 Coin Market has a F12 listed at $95, a VG8 at $75 and a G4 at $68.50. Hard to see the nicks on the rim, it depends...the more severe, the lesser the value. Here are some examples of F12:
Assuming that there is very little wear evident on the reverse, I see it as an F15. Very nice coin and I think a good buy for the money. Congratulations on your new addition
Thank you Susanlynn You've replied to a couple different questions of mine via this forum before. I appreciate that. Here's photo of the reverse. It's a little dark from the photo, but the wheat lines are there, with only a few weak spots. Do you think the small rim dings are a problem? They are very small and don't go past the lip of the rim itself. Kind Regards Ray
I saw the rim nicks, but I don't see them as all that distracting and I don't tend to consider them in a grade until VF or better. After seeing the reverse, I stand behind my F15 grade. And you're very welcome. I get great satisfaction out of being able to help here.
Very rarely do you see any price guides list coins as F15. They pretty much go from F12 to VF20. Therefore if you can a get a few dollars above F12, all of the better.
Seems that you got it for a good price, I agree with Ed that it is most likely an F-12,, based upon the pics to the low side of that grade. The wear on the obverse is notable around the cheek and beard ,ear and hair.These element preclude it from a higher grade,The reverse pic is to small to determine how much of the wheat heads remain,but if there is areas where there is no seperation of the wheat head lines (flat spots) then the coin cannot go above an F-12.
Well you got a good price--I paid $90 for my 1909-S and was just looking at another one for $90. As for your coin I would go F-15--but I've not seen the back so it might change. You say your a hobbyist--if I were you I would buy a good grading book and read it and try your hand at grading some of your coins....it may make you a collector yet. Speedy
are you serioius i ran into a guy tonight with a bunch of 1909 penies and he was ready to give them to me for 100 bucks along with a 1927 susan b and a couple proof sets one had a coin from 1789 so i guess i should get it then, ..... offers to buy or sell are not permitted in this Forum
moolie19 I wouldn't if I were you...they might not be 1909-S just 1909-P and then they might only be worth a few dollars--there is no such thing as a 1927-Susan B so I would be careful about this seller-- Speedy
