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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,346 |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
Forgot I even had this penny, IIRC, I bought it from Littleton Coin back in the 80's... & probably paid more than it's worth now... Seems to have developed a tiny bit of rust on the Obverse since then. I have no idea how that may affect grading, so what do you folks think?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7621 Posts |
It's really hard to give a grade on this from the pics. Did Littleton give it a grade or was it just labeled as a Wartime Cent?
The rust on Lincoln's face hurts it, no question.
I don't think it's been reprocessed as those usually have a bluish almost proof like hue to them.
Original Wartime steelies usually have a frosty, silver gray appearance.
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New Member
 United States
13 Posts |
I think it was supposed to be "Brilliant Uncirculated" when I bought it, but it's been 30+ years. Definitely not proof like, much more like an uncirculated new dime. Here's the reverse with 45deg side lighting instead of overhead lighting.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
it seems to have a very odd texture.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7621 Posts |
The Zinc coating on these things will sometimes get ugly and almost look dusty. I think it's usually due to environmental storage issues. Technically, the coin is probably "unc", but would not be worth TPG. I've bought rolls of unc Wartime Cents where the end coins were "ugly". 48 frosty, beautiful coins in-between two coins that have one side that's ugly....that stinks. I have a very pretty 43-S in my 7070 that's been there at least 20 years. So far, it has not degraded and looks as pretty as the day I put it in there. I think I am very lucky for it not to have gone bad. I think the storage environment over the last 30 years has had a lot to do with why your coin looks the way it does now. |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
When I just eyeball it, it looks more like the first image I posted, nice, clean sharp, pretty, except for Abe's runny nose ;) When I found it earlier, the original plastic it was in was cracked so I'm sure the zinc coating has been gently oxidizing for god knows how long, which is what give it that powdery look in the second photo. Didn't really figure it as TPG worthy after I got a good clear look at it, but never hurts to ask. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
Well you'd have to get MS67 to even come out ahead on a TPG steel penny, so that's unlikely even for BU coins. Only steel cent I'd send in would be a Double Die. |
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Pillar of the Community
Korea, Republic Of
1881 Posts |
Unc details, environmental damage.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19960 Posts |
AU details, environmental damage - possibly replated and damaged.
These are only a few bucks in mint state. I'd toss this one back into circulation and buy a better one.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
The oxidation showing up in the photos hides the fine lines & details due to the lighting. After closer visual inspection, it basically looks like a proof coin without the mirror like field. So I'm thinking that this may have been a reprocessed penny, & a couple decades of oxidizing in a cracked holder obliterated the normal reprocessed appearance.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
724 Posts |
This war penny looks awful and damaged. As badthad suggests, toss it back to circulation and buy a new one. I will not pay more than one penny for one like such.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,346 |
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Posted 08/02/2014 11:54 pm
