can anyone help with grading this memorial cent?

Its nothing of value but I'm trying to learn how to grade these things. What are your opinions?

 

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MS-61. It doesn't have any wear, but it's got noticeable scratch on Lincoln's cheek which is a focal point. It also has little eye appeal.

 

It is a zinc cent. It only has a copper coat, and it is spotting. Because it has begun to deteriorate it would not grade. Try a cent earlier with a date prior to 1982. Good luck and welcome to CT.

 

Welcome to Coin Talk. If you are trying to learn I suggest you try Photo Grade on the PCGS web site. Then post your coin and tell us what you think the grade should be and why.

 

Disagree. I see evidence of circulation at the eyebrow, top of the ear and the hair above the ear. As such it is AU58+ at best, probably closer to a straight 58.

The reverse pic is useless, the OPs finger moved the cam/scope when he took the picture rendering it blurry…imo…Spark

 

I agree, the photos are a little out of focus. The importance of proper background is illustrated here. The wood grain is in focus but the coin is not.

The larger bag dings are obvious but any surface wear may be obscured with the blurry pictures. Otherwise, the coin appears in great shape.

 

Thank you everyone.
MS-61 was actually my guess but I wanted to hear what others thought first. I'm more used to older more worn coins so i wanted to see what others thought before giving my opinion.

I'm sorry for the quality of the photos. But thanks for the advice. Any plain background should work better then?
I have to work on a new set up for taking detailed pictures. Its been a decade since I last did so.

 

Have a look at this setup. A simple home solution that may work for you. A flat background along with lifting the specimen off the surface will help the camera focus on your coin rather than the surrounding. Modern tech tries to find a balance but can sometimes get lost on what you are aiming to do.

 

Here’s another setup. Note that the chartreuse background is a poor choice. It reflects the light. The blue background was a better choice. You’ll find that for copper coins, one background works well but is terrible for a nickel or dime. Do have a few choices. Flat black works pretty well in most applications.

 

A key point is the wear on the bottom of his coat and shoulder

 

Thanks Kevin.

Thanks.

 

I would call it a lightly spotted AU-55.

It's a pretty nice coin for the date but it won't grade.

 

Even with the best photos available: in focus, plain back ground, cropped photo, lighting from two of more souces, I have trouble telling anything. Grading from photos, and not so good ones, is just a crap shot, imho