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 Replies: 11 / Views: 543 |
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Valued Member
United States
76 Posts |
Hello and thanks in advance for the help. This is part 4 in me trying to learn what makes a Lincoln Cent considered a "details" coin vs a "straight" coin. I'm not planning on getting any of these graded, this is just to advance my own grading and buying skills. I have here a 1923-S that, to me, looks super nice except for a tiny ding above the date. I don't know if that ding is enough to make this a details coin or not. Based on the first 3 parts of this series... I'm inclined to say "no"... but every time I think I'm getting it I end up being wrong  Thanks again!    |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Doesn't look that bad. I don't think it's enough to detail it. It should straight grade. I'm thinking VF.
Errers and Varietys.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10470 Posts |
Absolutely a straight grade.
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Moderator
United States
15381 Posts |
That minor hit is inconsequential. Absolutely will straight grade assuming the surfaces are original. I'm having difficulty judging the surfaces through the plastic of that 2x2. Polite reminder of my recommendation in your thread on the 1914-S: Quote:
If you have more of these to show please remove them from the 2x2 before taking the photo. The plastic distorts the image and could be hiding surface flaws. Your call of course to do so or not - but in the 2x2 you are not receiving our best input because we can't see. |
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Valued Member
 United States
76 Posts |
Thanks for all the input. And thanks, nickelsearcher ... I did recall your recommendation when posting this one and I was 50/50 on taking it out but decided not to since I was really looking for a judgement on the dent above the date. You'd understand my dilemma more if you saw just how ocd I am putting these in 2x2's with the loupe, compressed air can and razor sharpened toothpicks to remove dust particles  All my best cents go in air tites for that reason. I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind for the future. |
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Moderator
United States
15381 Posts |
Please do not interpret my 2x2 recommendation as a requirement. I'll still give you my best input either way, we at the CCF enjoy helping each other best we can.  I'm just saying that there are elements of the coin that are distorted and we cannot see the surfaces through that 2x2. You might be focused on one area (such as this obverse ding) while our experts can use their judgment to evaluate the entire coin to perhaps give examples of issues that you might not have been aware of. That is - if we can see the entire coin. Edited by nickelsearcher
01/08/2026 06:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2330 Posts |
Looking past the ding above the date...I'm more concerned with the surface of the coin.
The obverse looks like it has hairlines in the open fields continuing on to the devices. Notice how the date has a different sheen.
Might be the flip that has the scratches...so a couple pics outside the flip would really help.
smat
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Nice looking coin, no issues at all.
VF-25
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Valued Member
United States
76 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Nice looking example! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36415 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
It's fine, these are weakly struck and it's seen a lot circulation. The deep brown patina is beautiful and expected for the grade. It's like text book example of a VF coin actually - a dealer would probably try to pass it as EF.  PS to OP: Do not calibrate your Lincoln grading scale using the 1920's branch mint coins. All of the branch mint Lincolns from 1920 to 1928 are a topic of their own. Edited by BadThad
02/01/2026 12:52 am
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Replies: 11 / Views: 543 |
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Posted 01/08/2026 03:12 am
