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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,370 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
I assume the criteria for grading Lincoln Memorial cents are the same as wheats for the obverse,but, since there are no written standards for the reverse of LMC's (at least none I have been able to track down), what do you look at to determine reverse grades ? I have a really nice 1959 D cent I found in a bank roll and the obverse looks like an MS- 60 at least to me, but I don't know how to begin to grade the reverse. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
AHHHHHH.....LOVE this topic because there'a derth of information on grading Memorials. I've written about this quite a few times.
Most graders of Memorials get the grades wrong IMO. We also have to remember all the design changes the Memorial series have gone through over the years, these changes greatly effect how the grade should be assigned. Of course, I could (and may) write a book on the subject, but in the interest of saving time and my fingers here, I'll point out a few things on the reverse. Keep in mind, these are MY OPINION only.
Top wear areas are the cornice (along the top of the building), the pillars and the steps, in that order. I believe the cornice and pillars to be the high points of the reverse design. The steps simply show wear because it's an intricate part of the design and a fairly wide area.
One must be careful using the steps to assign a grade because there's an inherent weakness to the die and stamping process for that area. Understanding the difference between a die/strike issue versus wear takes some experience. The cornice is very similar in this respect, being the high point of the reverse design, it is also susceptible to die/strike issues. Again, learning to recognize the differences will take experience.
The pillars seem to really only show wear though "hits". I've found the more wear, the more hits I typically see on the pillars.
I hope more people join in on this discussion as I feel it's an important topic.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1450 Posts |
So, why is the Memorial cent so ignored? It has been in existence 50 years now you would think there would be an agreed upon set of standards! Thanks for your response Thad, I know you love these little beauties as much(probably more)than I do. It really frustrates me when valuations vary so much between grades then there is no standard. Based on what you are saying, can I substitute cornice, pillars and steps into the wheat standards for kernel, stalks etc.? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Probably because the BU Cents are not too expensive. Finding a high grade 66-70 would be the ones to search for. a less than circulated coin is not so desired an unless it is a highly sought after variety, there probably isn't much interest in less than BU coins.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Quote:So, why is the Memorial cent so ignored? It has been in existence 50 years now you would think there would be an agreed upon set of standards! Thanks for your response Thad, I know you love these little beauties as much(probably more)than I do. It really frustrates me when valuations vary so much between grades then there is no standard. Based on what you are saying, can I substitute cornice, pillars and steps into the wheat standards for kernel, stalks etc.? It's ignored because there was billions of them made and the value in price guides is insanely low. Dealers and even most collectors don't want to bother with them. The only people that are interested in them are the error and variety collectors. I say the normal coin collector is making a mistake ignoring them. As I've said a million times on this forum, finding quality, high-grade pieces is extremely difficult if not next to impossible. The vast majority are spotted, corroded, and poorly struck from worn dies....even in the mint sets! I've opened many "BU" bank rolls and found nothing but junk. Someday, perhaps after I'm dead, I will be vindicated. The population numbers don't matter because most of them are so crappy, have been melted down and lost to landfills and the ocean. I'm glad production has stopped, at least there's a chance at respect now. Yes, you can basically substitute those for the Wheat's.  Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Quote:
Probably because the BU Cents are not too expensive. Finding a high grade 66-70 would be the ones to search for. a less than circulated coin is not so desired an unless it is a highly sought after variety, there probably isn't much interest in less than BU coins.
I would say MS-64 and up, they can be tough enough at 64 in EDS. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:So, why is the Memorial cent so ignored? It has been in existence 50 years now you would think there would be an agreed upon set of standards! I think the biggest part of that is the fact that there are very few LMCs that have more than face value when circulated. The only normal business strike coin I can think of would be the small date 1970-S and of course you have the doubled dies and other die varieties but those are not exactly normal intentional releases. |
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Replies: 6 / Views: 1,370 |
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Posted 02/25/2009 1:28 pm
