Grading For Show Acquisition 1909 Lincoln

I do not know if this is allowed, if it is not the please delete. Here are some pics of 09 MPL's to compare it to-

You know chris, your post reminded of one thing on these....the strong luster. Also, they are known to take on blue-purple tones. I don't see that luster on this coin, that's why I didn't think it was a proof. However, it could be the photo too because browns can hide luster.

Jim - How's the rotational luster? It should still be fairly strong under the brown, it's a proof!

I really thank all of you that are commenting on my behalf. I do appreciate them.
The coin weighs 3.18 grams which is within the 3.11 +/- 0.13 ( 2.98-3.24) expected.
It also measures 19mm diameter. I can see no indication at all that it is not a
real Lincoln , either MS or PF. There is luster like if you placed oil on a regular brown
Lincoln when it is tilted.

Of course, $500 is $500 ! For anyone. But I had a choice to buy it or not, I know who
he is and where to find him, but I won't do that. If I didn't want the risk, I should
have passed and just found a slabbed one. I felt the risk/reward was worth it.

[RANT]

I am in the older population, worked at a profession for a long period of time, and feel
that I am responsible/answerable for my actions and choices. If it is genuine, I will be happy
and celebrate, if not, I will be disappointed in my lack of education in this area and
improve it, but I strongly disagree with the "Bailout Mentality" that is prevalent in
todays society, that someone else is responsible for my errors. If I had bought it by
mail from photos I would have no problem returning it within the stated period, but to
buy it in hand, and still feel it was a good choice, I would not return it. Not getting
on anyone case, just stating my place in life
[ /RANT)

Truthfully, Thanks for the efforts many have made to help me with this, and I appreciate
candor on grading, thats very good, whether genuine, fake, MS of PF, AT, etc.

I will let you know when TPG-ed

Jim

I understand what you are saying, and I fully agree with you. However, I don't think the situation with the coin applies here. A good coin dealer is obligated to stand behind the coin...that it is genuinely what he said it is. And as long as he owned it, he's had plenty of opportunity to verify if it is the real deal.

I'm not saying the dealer did something shady. If it turns out to be an altered coin, in my opinion returning it to the dealer is not shirking your responsibility. It would be letting him out of his.

But I'm rooting for you! It is a beaut!

( someone please correct me if my view is out of line )

Hi Steve and Trdhrdr,

I am sure the gentleman would honor a refund if asked for reasons. The only reason I would even consider it would be if the coin is not a genuine Lincoln Cent, MS of PF. I would not ask if it came back AT, Damaged surfaces, etc. I feel that is the responsibility of myself to determine when I first looked at it as I am sure he had to when he first bought it. I know the TPGs often find problems that few of us see.




No, I might buy him a piece of pie at the next show , but at that price he wanted to sell and I wanted to buy. At the time, I felt it would grade in the 63/64 range myself, and raw prices were close to price I paid. This is not the same for ebay type of purchase. In the past year I have bought 4 "1917 DDO" Lincolns that were returned the next day as they were not such. In hand I would have not purchased them in the first place. When I purchase at a show, I expect return options to be very limited, so I carry all of my reference materials, lights, scale , calipers, magnifiers in the truck, and know I have to make a call on it myself.

I realize many would not follow my reasoning and I respect their decisions.

I really didn't expect to raise such a fuss, I was primarily interested in the grading expertise on the forum.

Jim

Fair enough.

Don't worry about the "fuss." I find the coin and the story to be interesting. Thank you for sharing the details. :)

I guess what I write is not always clear. I agreed with your original statement, & with most of this one also. It's all part of the game when you are cherry picking, or buying coins for less than market price.

Thanks desertgem for helping educate all of us. I admire your attitude and willingness to stand by your purchase.

I don't own any matte proofs but actively collect Lincoln's and someday may be in your position at a coin show. This thread has helped me look at things a bit differently.

By all accounts, Lincoln matte proof diagnostics are a tough nut to crack. Q. David Bowers even says he wouldn't buy a matte proof unless it was certified by a leading grading service! Hey - You rolled the dice and may come out a winner! Somebody has to win the PowerBall!

Good Luck.