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 Replies: 23 / Views: 3,793 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
I've never seen a high quality 1943 steel cent so I don't know what it should look like. This was available for a few dollars and I bought it out of curiosity. Oh, did I mention that it was slabbed and certified as MS67 by National Numismatic Certification (NNC)? Hey - no laughing out there!  But seriously, has the coin been altered or is this the way a higher end steel cent should look? It looks like it was painted with aluminum paint. Any help is appreciated - after a couple of years on this forum I'm still a rookie in a few areas.    Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12808 Posts |
The obverse looks odd to me, but I'm no expert on steel cents.
I notice that you've de-slabbed it. Perhaps that will increase its value? ;)
Edited by CelticKnot
05/17/2012 7:34 pm
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
Looks pretty nice to me, but I'm not the best at grading.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
I agree that the obverse looks weird. It's circulated but the reverse looks mint! It's hard to say.
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New Member
United States
49 Posts |
Looks to me like honest abe had a nose job in '43 :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I can't give a good opinion on this one because the only steel cents that have passed through my hands were all tarnished to some degree.
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Valued Member
United States
236 Posts |
The obverse is suffering from oxidation. Most of what looks like wear is in the low area of the obverse. i.e. the nose, corner of the mouth and Abe's temple. The oxidation probably came after it was removed from the holder and once might have been close to an MS67. My advice is for coins that are as susceptible to oxidation as the Lincoln Steel Cents are is to keep them in a dry cool area and in a 2x2 flip, snap or sealed in a TPG slab like yours once was. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I have a steel unstruck planchet for a wartime cent, which could have also been used for the Belgian Two Cent for the same period. One can assume that the blank planchet that I have, has never seen circulation. The color looks fine to me, although I am aware the lighting can considerably confuse the appearance on the screen. The reverse is quite OK to me, the obverse is also, provided that it can be properly explained why the obverse has sustained obvious wear, and the the reverse has not. Perhaps the alternative explanation for the difference is that that only the obverse has been exposed to an agressive environment, But how, or why? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
OK, don't ask me why I bought this coin Because you liked it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
927 Posts |
I don't think this is wear on the front of this coin. It looks like pitting on the obverse due to exposure to the elements that the reverse did not get. Lots of 1943 steel cents were reprocessed years ago with a new coating. Perhaps this coin was also. I am no expert. Still a nice coin. Not MS67 though.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
NNC is a basement slabber, NEVER go by their grades.
Looks like an average MS62 steel cent.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Here is a thought. Maybe the obverse is worn and the reverse isn't is because it was in a folder and that protected the reverse while the obverse was touched many times? Just thinking out loud. John1  Edited by John1
05/18/2012 07:13 am
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Although I have said that the obverse has sustained wear, I would be more satisfied with that statement after close examination with a 10 x or more loupe.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
I agree with jdbooth and Thad.
Nice original low MS oxidized steel cent.
You could spend a couple bucks on a lot worse! (just walk in wallyworld)
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Valued Member
United States
236 Posts |
There is not any wear on the obverse of this coin. Almost all of the high points (wear points) look the same as the fields. Most of the areas that look like they have wear are low areas. For example: How can you have what looks like wear behind the ear, at the temple and on the nose and not have it on the cheekbone, beard and end of the bow tie? You can't because that is not how a Lincoln Cent naturally wears. Its corrosion/oxidation plain and simple. If you leave a steal cent out in a moist atmosphere, the the exposed side of the coin will suffer the effects of the moisture while the underside may not. This is what I think happened here. Edited by jdbooth
05/18/2012 07:29 am
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
Quote:
Here is a thought. Maybe the obverse is worn and the reverse isn't is because it was in a folder and that protected the reverse while the obverse was touched many times? Just thinking out loud.
nice thinking outside the square John1. Because of the date and the mm the obverse would most likely be unprotected in a push in album. not only the wear from fingers would do this but just closing the album with a snap would do the same damage by hitting the other coins in the same album. Looks like we have a winner here folks. |
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Replies: 23 / Views: 3,793 |
Posted 05/17/2012 7:51 pm
