I was reading over some here and I have a question. I understand y'all are probably not going to advise a person to do something.. but your educated opinion? I saw the question posed, "should I have it graded" and I wonder how that works, also how quickly does a penny become "handled" to ruin what may be a nice coin? I have ONE more penny from this set I came up on and o course a YouTube video gave me the butterflies about it.. but I would trust you guys way more in what I may or may not have. Here's a picture (oof I guess no need to piggyback )
Many members don't like to express an opinion on "Should I get it graded" as most pay more to get a coin graded than several rolls would be worth. Now real old coins and special cases such as true Doublied die coins do have a possibility. Many members are experts at giving reasons if the photos as as nice as yours. Even a MS65 grade is worth around 50 cents according to www.usacoinbook.com/coins/small-cents/lincoln-memorial-cent/ Just remember, if they give bad/sad opinions , don't get upset, we try our best Jim
I won't make a suggestion, as it's really your choice whether or not you wish to spend the money. However, I personally would not send that coin to be graded.
Well, I will make a suggestion. You have great pics for a really nice coin, but the general consensus for sending for grading is for a coin to be valued at $150-200 to justify TPG fees. My suggestion is: It may not merit TPG costs but you can get it into a capsule at the least to give it its deserved protection, instead of a flimsier flip. And, finally…some collectors are of the opinion that as soon as a coin leaves the Mint that it constitutes “circulated”. Many more believe as soon as coins are busted out of Mint rolls or bags that they become circulated. But the majority of collectors assess each coin as they find them and apply basic rules ( eye appeal, luster, contact, strike, wear, etc.) to apply whether or not a coin meets their own collectibility criteria. I, for example, started my collection from circulated coins with all wear conditions. Now, I seek to find coins that are AU58 or better. I may run across an AU58 that I reject because it has too many contact marks or staining, but it becomes a personal decision when the coin becomes “ruined” and therefore not a collectible. What I reject may be right up someone else’s alley. The above is a distillation of collecting for over 61 years and has served me well. I hope it serves you, and others, as well…imo…Spark
I have to agree with spark on this one, generally the only time I will recommend slabbing on a coin is when the cost of slabbing it is less then the cost of the already slabbed coin since it costs a minimum of 50 buck to have a coin graded and slabbed (and easily raised to 100 if conserved and photographed). my new ike is a good example.. I have several raw and brown boxed ikes i could have had slabbed for my type set, but i bought one just the other day for 25 bucks already slabbed and graded. As for your handling question... a single fingerprint (the oil on your skin makes these permanent without cleaning and thats even worse for the value) can reduce the value of a mint state coin from a six figure price to three figure price. On non-ms coins this doesn't really matter as much (an xf or lower graded coin generally won't show a print) It's a good idea to get in the habit of handling all coins by their edges or even better wear cotton coin gloves. even with old bags of pennies the gloves are great to keep your hands clean (money is dirty stuff)
The fellows above speak wisdom. I have recently put together an MS66 slabbed set of war nickels. Most of them were in the $35.00-$40.00 range… In other words whoever had each nickel slabbed lost twenty dollars on each submission. Coin shows are afloat with good looking slabbed modern coins for just a few dollars because someone took that gamble and lost…… If your reason for slabbing is for financial gain, don’t do it. If you want to slab the piece for personal reasons, absolutely go for it.
It looks like an exceptional coin. Throw that thing in a flip and look for other high graded coins, compare it to other graded examples. It is too hard to answer " is it worth it"? We are trying to give you on opinion from a photo. It looks like a great strike, nice luster, contact is minimal. the rim and details are wonderful. That red tone underneath the memorial makes me wonder if it is just toned? That is one of the most wide open area that will show light abrasions. Just double check. It really is a nice looking Lincoln.
@Darlicious here is a screen shot of the SOLD listing on eBay for a 1991-D Lincoln MS67 RD. That is a gem grade. It is debatable whether yours would come back with such a grade.
Thank you all so much, this is exactly why I thought of asking you all for help. I have touched this coin so much, had it in a little container mixed in with others before I saw the video I spoke of and tried to be more careful. I have no clue what the cost or process is for having it graded so thank you for that truth.. I had dollar signs in my eyes I have to quit watching those videos because I have to learn what they're talking about before believing everything they say is true. I honestly don't know how I ended up with these coins, I thought a flea market but I don't think so now. In any event I have simmered down and I won't bother with them anymore.. but I will still look for ones that are interesting etc.. so again thank you for the information I really appreciate it.
Simple question. Would you take a coin worth perhaps ten cents as-is, and spend $40-50 getting it certified, only to make it worth $10-20 or so after it was graded?
All good advice. Randy offers the differentiator - doing it for personal reasons. I have a salt eaten 1909 LWC found on a beach back in the 70’s. Not worth anything other than to me. I’ve not slabbed it, but it proudly sits in my circulated set of LWCs (although I’ve found other 1909’s in better shape).
True. It doesn’t make financial sense to submit it, but if you want it in a slab, slab it! I once put a $3 coin in a $50 slab, by choice.
