New one on me: "wood grain planchet"

Is there really such a thing as a "wood grain planchet"? I saw it mentioned in this ebay listing

1909-S Lincoln Cent Nice Detail and Woodgrain See Scan</IMG>

 

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yes, but that doesn't look quite right

 

http://www.coinandstampgallery.com/Cents_1909L_Pages/R01c 1909-SL VF-20b.htm
This is a 1909-S for sale at Alaska Coin Exchange - which I trust for grading.

1909-S usually a pale, brassy color when untoned and will often display a wood-grain effect from imperfect alloying. (David W. Lange)

$120.00 from Alaska

I agree the e-bay coin looks a little funny tho

 

That 09-S does not look genuine to me. The mintmark looks wrong. Plus, I think the coin is cleaned.

 

Yes the S looks mushy and the top shirf is thin

 

It may be a wood grain, not commenting on the S as genuine or not, but it is definitely cleaned.
And, yes, there are wood grained cents out there.

 

Is there a premium on these "wood-grained" cents ?
I have several wheaties that have this appearance.

 

Sometimes, the problem is to find a buyer who collects them.
Some collectors don't like the effect and prefer 'regular' finish pieces.

 

I may be mistaken, but in that auction I do not see an available image of the reverse. I would never spend that sort of money on a coin for which they can't bother to show me both sides.

 

I agree.

 

Yes, they do show the reverse. However, that coin looks like it has been cleaned to me. For comparison, here is my 1909-S. I think that this qualifies as "wood grain" although the effect is more splotchy than grainy.

 

"woodgrain" cents are actually pretty common for the 1908 - 1918 era. I woud not consider them to be justified in having a premium.

 

Cleaned, not wood-grain.

 

looks like a stratched up penny to me.