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 Replies: 29 / Views: 2,519 |
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Valued Member
United States
311 Posts |
I actually see a lot more 72-74 "S" mint LMCs than I do 68-69 "S" mints. I think I actually find more "S" mint wheat cents than I do '68s!
I think the general consensus among folks sorting for copper is that the '82 cents in circulation right now are about 80% copper/20% zinc. Finding a small-date zinc '82 in high-grade red with full steps in circulation is HARD. I've got two $25 penny boxes full of loose '82s waiting to be weighed out (roughly 4400 cents), and I bet I could go through both of them and not find one good example.
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Valued Member
United States
290 Posts |
I just performed a quick Red Book check on these coins. The MS-65 are very cheaply priced. I am assuming that MS-65 provides full steps when available, but please correct me if I am wrong. 1968 S $0.40 1973 S $0.35 1972 S $0.35 1974 S $0.35 1971 S $0.80 1969 S $0.35 1960 P $7.00 small date 1962 P $0.30 1959 P $0.30 1970 S $65.00 small date 1970 S $0.35 large date 1961 P $0.30 1963 P $0.30 Edited by novillero
02/09/2009 2:44 pm
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Valued Member
United States
290 Posts |
My second assumption about the compiled list is that S mints are not proof coins, right?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
19961 Posts |
Penneh - I'd be quite surprized if there were 20% zinc, of course, this could be dependent on geographical location....but I see far less than that. I see about 5% or less zinc 82's in my boxes. I'm looking forward to keeping a count so I can be more scientific. novillero - Red Book only goes to MS-63. Full steps do not seem to affect grade at all, it's one thing I cry about constantly. I've seen some high-graded, TPG Memorials with crappy looking steps. The FS designation is something I've dreamed up, to me it seems appropriate as it's a very weak point in the design. The mid to late die state coins usually have quite horrible steps. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
United States
290 Posts |
Quote:novillero - Red Book only goes to MS-63. Full steps do not seem to affect grade at all, it's one thing I cry about constantly. I've seen some high-graded, TPG Memorials with crappy looking steps. The FS designation is something I've dreamed up, to me it seems appropriate as it's a very weak point in the design. The mid to late die state coins usually have quite horrible steps. BadThad, I am looking at my 2009 Red Book right now (62nd Ed.) ... For 1958-1968, it grades ms-63 adn ms-65, as well as pf-65. For 1969 to present, there is no ms-63 gradings. |
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Valued Member
United States
290 Posts |
BadThad, another thing... Can you elaborate on your definition of FS? I am taking it that there are no imperfections - meaning vertical strikes - on the steps, first of all; and second of all no wear (especially on that bottom couple of steps where bottom couple of step become just one step).
Is that what you typically see? what other examples?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:BadThad, I am looking at my 2009 Red Book right now (62nd Ed.) ... For 1958-1968, it grades ms-63 adn ms-65, as well as pf-65. For 1969 to present, there is no ms-63 gradings. I'll be...it's been awhile since I looked at mine, it only goes to 63 for Wheats. I stand corrected!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:
BadThad, another thing... Can you elaborate on your definition of FS? I am taking it that there are no imperfections - meaning vertical strikes - on the steps, first of all; and second of all no wear (especially on that bottom couple of steps where bottom couple of step become just one step).
Is that what you typically see? what other examples?
It's on my list to take a lot of pictures and start a Lincoln FS thread on CC. When I say full steps, I mean just that. Each and every step is fully complete, there are no rubs, they are fully brought-up in the design and no die breaks/abrasions. The intendation between each row of steps is complete from end to end. Here's an example from a lightly circulated coin. Probably the easiest way to see it is by looking at the dark lines between the steps, each dark line should go all the way across, unbroken.  Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
Edited by BadThad
02/09/2009 11:14 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
There's two primary problem spots on the "fine steps" type Lincolns. These are the first spots to show die wear, it can be one or the other or both....I've seen every combination. You will see weakness in these areas on the vast majority of Memorial cents. Interestingly, it's also usually skewed slightly to the right side of the steps. When there are full steps, it's an early die state coin (EDS). When they are not, it's MDS (Mid Die State) or LDS (Late Die State). Due to the billions of Memorials made, the vast majority of the populations are from MDS to LDS.  Edited by BadThad
02/09/2009 11:29 pm
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Valued Member
United States
311 Posts |
Quote:
Penneh - I'd be quite surprized if there were 20% zinc, of course, this could be dependent on geographical location....but I see far less than that. I see about 5% or less zinc 82's in my boxes. I'm looking forward to keeping a count so I can be more scientific. The 20% is just an average from a few people who keep track... My results are more like 30% zinc (somebody in my Brinks service area is pulling copper on an industrial scale... I almost never break 20% copper in a box) Those are some impressive pictures! I hope I never figure out how to get results like that... I'll have to be a lot pickier with my collection! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:
Those are some impressive pictures! I hope I never figure out how to get results like that... I'll have to be a lot pickier with my collection!
Thanks....now, go check your Memorial collection and be ready to start searching for FS examples, I bet most of yours are not FS...hehehehehehe |
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Valued Member
United States
311 Posts |
The steps are something I look at, but only with the naked eye... I've yet to find a magnifier that doesn't give me a headache. I know a lot of my '60s cents are red mint state, but still just have a blob in the center of the steps :(
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2271 Posts |
Quote:
The steps are something I look at, but only with the naked eye... I've yet to find a magnifier that doesn't give me a headache. I know a lot of my '60s cents are red mint state, but still just have a blob in the center of the steps :( I'd suggest you get a good high quality glass and keep both eyes open when you use it. It doesn't have to be an expensive glass just well ground without flaws. You can find telescopes and cameras at garage sales that can have several good magnifiers in them. Failing this I'd suggest a Hastings 18x loupe for attribution or a wide angle 6x glass for grading. Steps can be tough but what knocks a lot of later date LMC out of contention for the very high grades are hits and scratches under the steps. Each date is unique just like Morgan dollars or bust halfs. Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
Quote:
The steps are something I look at, but only with the naked eye... I've yet to find a magnifier that doesn't give me a headache. I know a lot of my '60s cents are red mint state, but still just have a blob in the center of the steps :(
My close up vision isn't what it used to be. I can't even make out the date without reading glasses and I can't make out the steps without magnification. I have a little 4x/8x magnifier for basic work and a cheap 10x loope for looking close. I don't know how you can live without one! Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Replies: 29 / Views: 2,519 |
First Page
Posted 02/09/2009 2:42 pm
