Are woodgrain cents less desirable?

I have a great looking 1909-S Indian Head Cent. It's raw, but I will be sending it in for grading in a future batch.

My question: Can Cents with heavy woodgrain still achieve a top grade? Or is woodgrain considered a flaw?

I, for one, like it, but I'm curious what others think?

 

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Pretty sure they fetch a premium, at least the US ones do in high grade.

 

As long as they are attractive they are desirable.

 

If attractive or not shouldn't affect technical grade. If attractive might add to value (among those who like it).

 

I've heard that TPGs actually dislike the woodgrain look and may knock the grade on a cent for it. (I haven't had the experience.) Generally collectors like it.

 

@Insider @Barry Murphy

 

I grade the coin and color as normal, and add streaked alloy on the label. Some of these are very attractive. My favorite are Indian cents w/block crystals. They are not "Woodies."

 

Oooooo...I like that

 

Here is the coin in question... the woodgrain isn't totally consistent. It does go all the way through the coin in some places, but not others, which is interesting.

I'm curious what grade it will receive. I'll know in a few weeks.

 

Love how the individual grain domains stand out. Must have been an interesting melt, mix, and cool cycle for that ingot. It would be interesting to toss that into an SEM

 

I like em allI can see your coin grading a mid XF very nice.

 

I don’t think you need to worry. It’s a nice looking coin.

 

Looks like XF45

 

"Particle boardies"

 

It is a very nice looking coin. I don't see the consistency of the wood grain, there are some shallow areas, especially on the obverse. It should not affect the grading, in my opinion. Good luck.

 

It's hard to tell what your coin would grade. The luster is not present in your photos. It has vey nice details though. Strong shield, and the feathers on the headdress are nearly full. Hopefully this coin has luster left.

At worst should be MS details. Maybe AU details. I am not sure why some have called this coin XF.

 

Wood graining if nice will add a premium to its value. However, in some cases no. It depends on the collector. I was at a big show in October of 2020 and there was one older man specifically looking for Indian cents with wood graining. So they are popular. Personally I like it if nice. Your Indian looks like it would grade XF+ but, if I base my opinion on your pictures your coin has the look of being cleaned / dipped. It looks a little washed out. It could be just the lighting used so the coin may be perfectly fine. In any event that is a well struck 1909-S Indian cent. These are normally seen weakly struck on the feathers and some weakness on the reverse. Yours looks better than most for the grade. I hope it comes back straight graded.

 

No diamonds and beads... other than that, who cares whether wood grain or not. It is still a nice piece for a collection.