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 Replies: 19 / Views: 2,602 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
So I have a few early Lincoln cents that have some slight problems. One, an 09s, has two very faint scratches on Lincoln's cheek and the other, a 17s, looks like it just recently lightly circulated so the high points (it's already VF) are redder than the rest of the nice even brown the rest of the coin has.
My question is, would it be worth it to throw the 09s into my pocket and see if I can self circulate it to get the scratches out and on the 17s should I throw it on the window sill for a few months and try to even out the color? Thoughts? Are these coins pretty much done for or can they be saved? After all, an 09s in F12 with a scratch has to be worth less than a VG8 with no scratch right?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Pictures would help a lot since its basically a judgement call if they would be better off or not. If theres any doubt the safe bet is to just leave them be. Quote:
After all, an 09s in F12 with a scratch has to be worth less than a VG8 with no scratch right? Probably but its not assured. Depends what they look like and how bad the scratch is/where it is. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
 We really need pictures. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4588 Posts |
I doubt it - if the scratches are really bad enough that the grade gets dinged an entire grade (F12 details --> VG8) it's unlikely MORE damage will do anything more than cement the VG8 grade and maybe drop it further (e.g. from F12 with scratches so VG8 to VG8 with scratches so VG6).
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
784 Posts |
I KNEW you guys would ask for pics! :) And of course, I stink, for some reason, at taking pics of coins. Okay, I will try to not embarrass myself tomorrow with some pics.
I'm gonna need you guys to talk me down off the edge here on the 09s, I've had it for over a year and it's my favorite coin so I'm pretty ticked that I didn't notice them before!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
I think that's a bad idea. Purposely circulating a coin? Not what I would do.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
I was leaning towards leaving them alone too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1903 Posts |
My guess...if the scratch is deep enough to be unsightly now...it would take a lot of wearing down to make it totally dissapear. Would probably have to be worn down to a "G" grade before all traces would dissapear. My other question is...why? We aren't talking about a coin with hugely significant value to start with (would I be wrong guessing $65 as stands and $70 if things turn out as planned?)....how much value difference are we talking here...a few dollars maybe?
Edited by unholyroller
11/14/2013 01:57 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
Edit: Yes I think that's close. Numismedia has an F12 at $102, a VG8 at $86 and a G6 at $79. It's not overly substantial but it's still $20. I really don't know how much a scratch dings the price but I'm thinking it's gotta be a lot.
I don't know maybe I'm being too emotional about the fact that it's there and I didn't notice it when I bought it. I'm gonna try to get some decent pics and see what you all think.
2nd Edit: Unholyroller - This is the most expensive coin I've purchased so, to me at least, it's substantial. :) I'd like to think I'm getting better at this hobby and not worse! :)
Edited by rking007
11/14/2013 02:15 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
I am going to be the one to go against the grain here (shocker eh?). IF the scratch is not that deep, then yes, making it a pocket piece to wear the scratch out is just fine. Simply pay attention to it, and the moment it is at the point that the scratch is gone or reduced enough, its good. You can argue all you want about difference in value between the grades, but her eis the thing. Myself, and most other people, will buy a lower grade coin quicker than a higher grade with damage for the same price. There are exceptions of course, but that is generally the truth.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
Myself, and most other people, will buy a lower grade coin quicker than a higher grade with damage for the same price. There are exceptions of course, but that is generally the truth. I agree.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
Okay here we go. Tips for photography are good too. This is my version of iPhone 4s with a 10x loupe so the edges are a little distorted. So here is the 09s. There is separation in the cheek and his ear looks a little better than this. Are these scratches unsightly?   Like I said, I'm not the best at coin photography but the left side of Lincoln's hair that looks like highlighting from the window looks more like newly circulated wear. The entire rim is the same color too.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
I would say "preserve your coin" and not add damage to it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
I think they are both fine the way they are.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
Are these scratches unsightly? Nowhere near as bad I was expecting. I would be inclined to leave this one and the other alone. |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 2,602 |
Posted 11/13/2013 7:23 pm
