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 Replies: 20 / Views: 4,704 |
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Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
  I'm working on a collection (with a limited budget) of one uncirculated coin for each year of the Lincoln series. I'm down to the 1913, so of course by Murphy's Law, it is proving elusive. Nice ones are quite expensive. This one is on a reliable auction site, and the starting bid is below the PCGS price guide price (for what that's worth). Here's my rather obvious question: what do you think about the spots? The obverse is fairly problem-free, but the reverse obviously has a splattering of small dots. I've read all the good information on CCF about black spots on copper coins, and while the question of grading and "do you like the coin?" is subjective, there's one question that seems to engender debate: will the spots grow or multiply? A side note is that the coin has a fairly nice amount of red for a BN rated coin. I would love any opinions about this coin in general, and the spots question in particular. Thanks in advance. (Moderators, I put this here instead of the grading forum; if I erred, I apologize.) Quick edit: the CCF image optimizer vexes me on occasion; I'm sorry the reverse photo is small. If you expand it, the spots become much more clear. Edited by Centsei
10/11/2017 11:10 am
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Centsei, looks to me that those spots may be more of an alloy mix problem than a corrosive carbon reaction. That said, they may not grow or multiply. Not mentioning the coffin grade puts me in a quandary as to what is a reasonable price. By the pix, I would only grade a low MS, even an AU slider, can't seem to say it is a clear uncirculated coin prior to entombment. You've done your homework apparently as to market value(subjective), so if coin is in range and an acceptable example for you, go for it. Dont think you'll have future changes, even in your lifetime.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Tough call from small images but this one looks quite worthy of the grade to me. It might have been penalized for what looks like a rather weak obverse strike; the reverse seems sharp as a tack. The reverse, blown up, doesn't strike me as "ugly" and I could probably accept the spotting. Even if the coin is overlit, I agree with your opinion on color. It's pretty good for a Brown.
RB examples don't seem to carry much of a premium in grade, so this might be another avenue to pursue.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Personally, I would pass on this coin. To me, the obverse has a weak strike (flat cheek)....and the spots.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
 There is a certain percentage of collectors in any of the collecting series that just say no to problem coins, regardless of if it is listed as a details coin, or not. This has a lot of red for a plus, and a strong reverse strike. It has a rather poor obverse strike and those pesky measles on the reverse. I wouldn't get this one, but I'm a hater - of spots. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I agree about the semi weak obverse . The tiny spots are probably not a problem for most folks unless they are seeking a 66 RD or better . Reverse strike is strong. IMHO PCGS gave this coin a 64, more for the reverse than the obverse .  |
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
I have an ongoing collection of Slabbed MS66 Lincoln cents and spots are too distracting. I pass right over nice coins that have them on the surfaces. Totally up to you though.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
These would be almost imperceptible without magnification. I like it very much and would buy it if the price was right.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
I like, brown with tinges of red is quite attractive on a Lincoln IMO. A few tiny carbon spots are no big deal.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7511 Posts |
Attractive coin with a good eye appeal, at the right price, yes, I would buy it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I like it, but as most know, I'm cheap, and hate going upside down on any coin. Hope you can get it cheap. Fwiw, I like the old image optimizer better |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2205 Posts |
Re the spots: I don't see them. I'm not saying they're not there, I'm saying that because I don't notice them, the problem doesn't exist for me.
Re your question: Yes, I would buy (assuming I like the price, too).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
911 Posts |
Nice coin if you can get it for a good price. Of course, it is up to you. Do you really like the coin? Good luck with your collection.
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Moderator
United States
188506 Posts |
I like it. A buy if you like it and the price is right.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
314 Posts |
I really appreciate the thoughtful replies. A couple of comments on the weak obverse strike confirmed a thought that was in the back of my mind, although I think I can live with that. I like the term "measles" for the spots. It's interesting how one coin can generate so many interesting opinions and bits of information. I know I would have a better collection if I could preview every purchase at CCF, but that would be presumptuous. I felt that it was OK on this one, because the "measles" issue would seem to be one with some wide relevance to other collectors. One thing we see confirmed in all this is how hard it is to find a truly nice older copper coin. There's always a spot or a scratch, and if the coin is problem-free and has good eye appeal, the seller usually knows that. In my limited experience, with "harder" dates, I go to the BN coins, and search for the ones that have a nice color and are clean. Bright reds are great (I love finding some from the 30's and 40's when they are affordable), but some careful searching in the browns allows me to find coins that are in my budget range, and still look OK.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 4,704 |
Posted 10/11/2017 12:01 pm
