Made a Great Find Today

[txbluesman]

I went to a vacant lot that was just cleared and scraped clean so a new park could be created. I hunted there earlier in the week after work and found a handful of wheats ranging from 1915 - 1936 plus a few nice relics. Although the it was snowing and the wind was gusting to 40MPH, I couldn't help but go back out there today for 3 1/2 hours. It seemed that all I could dig was 1960 - 1980 Lincolns. I finally found a wheat as I was getting ready to go home and warm up. I didn't bother looking at it and put in my bag. Imagine my suprise when I got home and looked at it under my magnifying glass, a 1922 with no Mint Mark. I immediately dropped it in an olive oil bath to loosen the remaining dirt. I checked my coin prices and found that this coin in G-4 condition is valued at $525 and VG-8 is $725. I feel my coin should grade somewhere in between. I will post a picture soon.

 

[James N.D.]

n/t

 

[dm]

good going blue

 

[crow-duck]

n/t

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[txbluesman]

Here are pics of the coin after soaking it in olive oil for a couple of hours. Now that most of the dirt has come off, I'm not so sure how well the coin will grade as it is obviously suffering from encrustation. Regardless of how the coin grades, I'm still excited about my find.

 

[James N.D.]

it appears that there is a D Mintmark below the date, unless that is just the way it appears in the picture. If it is a 1922 Plain, it is going to grade very low due enviromental damage. I hope it is just a 1922-d because then you won't have to beat yourself up because of the condition of the coin. Still a great find and who knows what else is still in that lot. If I were you, I would get back there as soon as possible and pound it hard. There could be a 21-d Merc waiting for you or maybe even a 16-d Merc. Good Luck and HH.

 

[txbluesman]

James,

Actually, it is the way it appears in the picture. Now that I look at the posted picture, I can see what you think is a mint mark. However, I have turned the coin every which way and used my 10x loop and I can't see any mint mark. There is a small scratch and discoloration where the mint mark should be. But you are correct about the enviromental damage....

 

[txbluesman]

I tried something new by taking a picture thru my 10x loop. I think this will give you a better view of the date.

 

[swingman]

I don't see a 'D' mint mark...even though for that year the 'D' would be quite inconsequential. I'd guess it was in VG or better condition when dropped, but the 'environment' has greatly reduced its value.
A cleaning tip if you want to try it...usually very non-destructive; i.e., won't hurt the coin.( In a small plastic container, pour a little 3% hydrogen peroxide (available at any pharmacy...cheap). Heat in a microwave for ~ 10 seconds or so. (Be careful handling it - hot peroxide will cause a 'burn' on skin - nothing fatal, just little white spots! Peroxide acts well on organic material...oxidizes it.)
Drop in the coin (be careful not to splash). It should bubble nicely - I usually leave mine in until the active bubbling ceases. Rinse in water, and gently scrape the junk with a wooden toothpick (keeping the coin wet!). Sometimes you can see mud forming on the surface of the coin! If there's an improvement in appearance, a second or even third 'bath' may be warranted. When done, a very light coating of vaseline can further bring out some detail.
I have restored many Indians that were barely identifiable, to sometimes having numismatic value. This works with copper/bronze coins, but doesn't seem to do much with other metals. Good luck!

 

[James N.D.]

I have often wished to find one of those beauties but have only found a half-dozen or so of the 1922-d Wheat Pennies. A buddy of mine found 2 1922 Plains in a yard years ago, one was F and the other VF without much of any Enviromental Damage done to them, the lucky @$!&*#@! Hope you find another on a return trip and this time, it is in better condition. Good Luck and HH.

 

[Hotcz70]

maybe someday!

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[mattockman]

What web site do you get that info?