1910 wheat cent 0

[JAnsley]

Hello ALL

Been unable to get on here and post for some unknown reason until today i loaded the page it desktop mode and bam can post so ive got 3 or 4 coins i got questions about. Anyhow back to this 1910 P wheat cent. How do i know if this coin is truly a proof or not? Bought it in a lot of 2x2 carded cents and this one had proof wrote on the 2x2 by the date. In my opinion it is not a proof but idk as ive only ever owned RD modern proofs never seen a BN proof but teach me somthing guys...

[Lem E]

A good place to start is to look at the rims of the coin. The rim will be a little thicker and there should be no slope where the rim and the field of the coin meet. Should be a sharp angle and flat. To me it looks like I can see that rounding on this coin which makes me think not a proof. I’m sure the real Lincoln cent guys will chime in anytime. Still a nice looking coin.

[Alex in PA.]

On 10/15/2021 at 1:59 PM, JAnsley said:

Been unable to get on here and post for some unknown reason

Welcome to the club J.  If this continues as it has in the past it will get worse before it gets better.  Myself, I am now on my fourth browser to get signed in.  Anyway, good luck and someone will come soon to help with your coin.

[GBrad]

@Coinbuf I would consider one of the premier Lincoln specialists here on the forum. But I am going to throw in my observation because Lincolns have always been my bread and butter.  I am going to give my vote that this is a regular business strike.  @Lem E is on the money speaking about the sharpness of the rims.  I am not seeing a clearcut sharp edge considering how good of shape this 1910 is in. I'm not sure if it is a lighting issue but it appears there may be a ridge ring starting on the obverse from about the 5 to 11 o'clock position which would not be consistent with a proof, just food for thought if this is the case. It appears MS from your pics and therefore should be showing very well defined and sharp edges on the rim, both obverse and reverse if it was in fact a proof.  In addition, there were just a little over 2,000 proofs for this year and finding one in the wild (I consider some 2x2 finds as found in the wild) would be like the needle in a haystack saying.  @JAnsley It is a very nice Lincoln no doubt but I don't believe it is a proof.  

Edited October 15, 2021 by GBrad

[RWB]

Sorry - The 2x2 lied. It's not a proof and it's not even well struck. Compare the wheat on left and right side of the reverse. The grains should be strong and well defined on a normal coin, and much crisper on a matte proof.

[JAnsley]

Well thanks guys seems like yall confirmed my opinion about it. Also thank for pointer on what to look for i learned quite abit from this.

@Gbrad quick question what should a '43 steel weigh? Thought it was 2.5 but ive got one at 2.78 and one at 2.81 even had '37 at 3.5.4 had recalibrate my scale and checked them all again same results

Edited October 15, 2021 by JAnsley

[RWB]

Note that for matter proof Lincolns and Buffaloes, the dies were sandblasted, not the coins.

[JAnsley]

On 10/15/2021 at 4:00 PM, RWB said:

Note that for matter proof Lincolns and Buffaloes, the dies were sandblasted, not the coins.

Sandblasted? I didnt even know there was sandblasting involved at all. Now im really learning somthing.

[GBrad]

On 10/15/2021 at 4:54 PM, JAnsley said:

Well thanks guys seems like yall confirmed my opinion about it. Also thank for pointer on what to look for i learned quite abit from this.

@Gbrad quick question what should a '43 steel weigh? Thought it was 2.5 but ive got one at 2.78 and one at 2.81 even had '37 at 3.5.4 had recalibrate my scale and checked them all again same results

Steel Lincoln Cents should weigh 2.7 grams give or take their acceptable tolerances.  A copper Lincoln should weigh approximately 3.1 grams and has a weight tolerance of +/- .13 grams.  The zinc cored and copper plated Lincoln Cents should weigh approximately 2.5 grams with a weight tolerance of +/- .10 grams. As far as the 1943 Steel Lincoln I believe it still abides by the weight tolerance of +/- .13 grams.  The steel Lincoln's normal weight is approximately 2.7 grams (actually 2.689 grams to be exact) and it seems your steelies are within the recognized tolerances.  Just FYI, there have been numerous coins of all denominations found over the years that fall outside of the published and known mint tolerances.  However, in order for a coin to be considered a true oddity or mint error regarding weight, it would actually need to fall well outside of the recognized tolerances. 

31 U.S. Code § 5113 - Tolerances and testing of coins

Edited October 15, 2021 by GBrad

[RWB]

On 10/15/2021 at 5:22 PM, JAnsley said:

Sandblasted? I didnt even know there was sandblasting involved at all. Now im really learning somthing.

For the silver coins (Barber's design) a normal mirror-like proof dies was used (nothing but a polished die). For Saint-Gaudens and Pratt gold, the coins were struck from new dies on a medal press. If satin proofs were wanted, the coins were delivered as-is. If sandblast (incorrectly called "matte") was wanted, the coins were individually sandblasted just like medals; this made each coin unique as far as precise texture was involved.

The minor coins - Lincoln cent and Buffalo nickel - were issued in too large a quantity to individually sandblast the coins, so new dies were sandblasted, hardened, and then used to strike proofs on a medal press.

[JAnsley]

On 10/15/2021 at 7:27 PM, RWB said:

For the silver coins (Barber's design) a normal mirror-like proof dies was used (nothing but a polished die). For Saint-Gaudens and Pratt gold, the coins were struck from new dies on a medal press. If satin proofs were wanted, the coins were delivered as-is. If sandblast (incorrectly called "matte") was wanted, the coins were individually sandblasted just like medals; this made each coin unique as far as precise texture was involved.

The minor coins - Lincoln cent and Buffalo nickel - were issued in too large a quantity to individually sandblast the coins, so new dies were sandblasted, hardened, and then used to strike proofs on a medal press.

Never knew that. Just always assumed they polished the die or the coin depending on finish wanted never dreamed sandblasting was use. That's very interesting and good info to know.thanks

 

[JAnsley]

On 10/15/2021 at 4:36 PM, GBrad said:

Steel Lincoln Cents should weigh 2.7 grams give or take their acceptable tolerances.  A copper Lincoln should weigh approximately 3.1 grams and has a weight tolerance of +/- .13 grams.  The zinc cored and copper plated Lincoln Cents should weigh approximately 2.5 grams with a weight tolerance of +/- .10 grams. As far as the 1943 Steel Lincoln I believe it still abides by the weight tolerance of +/- .13 grams.  The steel Lincoln's normal weight is approximately 2.7 grams (actually 2.689 grams to be exact) and it seems your steelies are within the recognized tolerances.  Just FYI, there have been numerous coins of all denominations found over the years that fall outside of the published and known mint tolerances.  However, in order for a coin to be considered a true oddity or mint error regarding weight, it would actually need to fall well outside of the recognized tolerances. 

31 U.S. Code § 5113 - Tolerances and testing of coins

@Gbrad thank you for that info. Ive never really dealt with steel cents much till recently.there just not appealing to me but here of late ive found several BU in OBR ive purchased off ebay. Id read some where ( dont recall where now) about a experimental silver composition cent in 43 and 44 so i been weighting them all to keep from scratching them with magnet. The silver is said to weigh in at 4.2 grams if i recall correctly. Then again i maybe mis informed completely as not ever thing online is true that you read. Heck just look at my FB it says im a french model..lol..JK...anybow thanks again for the knowledge

 

[RWB]

On 10/16/2021 at 1:45 AM, JAnsley said:

Just always assumed they polished the die or the coin depending on finish wanted

The coins were never polished.

Silver was not used in experimental US Lincoln cents.

[JAnsley]

On 10/16/2021 at 7:09 AM, RWB said:

The coins were never polished.

Silver was not used in experimental US Lincoln cents.

Thank you @RWB