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 Replies: 10 / Views: 619 |
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Valued Member
United States
76 Posts |
Hello and thanks for the help. I've gotten back into the hobby over the last several months and have already learned a lot. In the process I bought several coins that I think might be a "details" grade based on damage looking back at them. But, I've also seen several straight graded coins that appear to have some level of damage, so I'm not 100% sure. I'm just looking for confirmation on whether these are "details" coins or not. This post has the first 3 but I'll have more to come. Thanks! Exhibit A, 1911D with scratches on face:   Exhibit B, 1913S with scratches on left wheat:   Exhibit C, 1914 with tiny gouges left of ear:    |
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Moderator
 United States
15386 Posts |
Happy to help. Quote:
This post has the first 3 but I'll have more to come. Share as many examples as you wish, but please only one coin per thread. It keeps the discussion organized that way. My views on these three: 11-D is borderline details, not only because of the portrait scratches but also obverse rim damage at ~9:00. Some might call it acceptable, so it's a toss up 13-S is slam-dunk details. Those reverse 'scratches' could be intentional graffiti - plenty deep and prominent to detail grade the coin. The 1914 should straight grade, assuming the surfaces are original. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1601 Posts |
Nickelsearcher summed it up nicely except to say that the '14 has been cleaned too. Nothing drastic but the fields have been rubbed to get rid of "dirt" and discoloration. I don't know why someone [except my brother-in-law] would scratch the reverse so deeply and deliberately as the (otherwise nice woody) '13 but they did.
I don't know if you were thinking of submitting these for grading but IMHO they would all come back details for the reasons stated. Otherwise they are nice strikes and would make nice place holders in a wheat collection until you find better examples.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73595 Posts |
Nickelsearcher said it perfectly. I agree with his comment.
Errers and Varietys.
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Valued Member
 United States
76 Posts |
Thanks so far for the help! No, I'm not trying to grade these... just working on my self assessment of my collection and buying skills.
"except to say that the '14 has been cleaned too. Nothing drastic but the fields have been rubbed to get rid of "dirt" and discoloration. "...
Can you help me with identifying this? I'm not sure what to look for... is it the variations in brown coloring that you're seeing?
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Valued Member
United States
76 Posts |
I wanted to offer up a couple more pics of the fields on the 1914. Honestly, in person I don't see that multi color field even with a 10x loupe so I'm wondering if something is happening with my image processing to get it to <300kb. I used a different method for these... please let me know if you still see it, I'm really interested to know what to look for. Thanks again!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3622 Posts |
I see both the 1911-D and 1913-S as details coins. I believe the 1914 would straight grade.
The 1911-D has more than the facial scratches. There appears to be a heavy hit on the top left back of the head, with some corresponding damage on the reverse at "OF" and the lower grains of the left wheat stalk. The 1913-S is definitely a details coin, for the reasons others have stated. The scuffing on the 1914 is borderline, but isn't new. The long scratch has wear and is toned, and certainly would factor into eye appeal, but I think this one straight grades.
Details or not, none of these coins are awful. They have decent strikes and the first two don't look bad for details coins. Someone would snag these for a starter collection.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
11D: VF-30 (more of a hit to the portrait than a scratch, rim nick at 9oc minor, everything old, toned-over and consistent with grade/circulation)
1913S: VF details, reverse damage too strong/deep to overlook as normal/expected circulation wear. At least it's very old and toned-over, very acceptable hole filler for a semi-key.
1914: EF-40, wear/damage consistent with age/condition, low value coin perfectly acceptable as it is
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Quote:
I wanted to offer up a couple more pics of the fields on the 1914. Not a cleaned coin, patina is a nice brown with consistency expected for the grade. EXCELLENT job on the pictures BTW!  Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10472 Posts |
Only the 13-S but still a great Wheat cent as are the other 2. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36471 Posts |
Only straight grade would be the 14.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 619 |
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Posted 12/31/2025 07:51 am
