5 Costly Lincoln Cent Mistakes Even Experts Make (And How to Dodge Them)

I’ve Watched These Lincoln Cent Blunders Cost Collectors Thousands – Protect Yourself

Let me tell you about Jim, a fellow collector who polished his 1922 Plain cent to “make it shine” – instantly turning a $500 coin into a $50 problem. After handling thousands of Lincoln cents, I’ve spotted five recurring mistakes that sabotage collections. Here’s how to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.

Mistake 1: Falling for Fake Shine (I Did Too!)

Why That “Perfect” Penny is Probably Ruined

We’ve all been tempted by bright coins, but artificial cleaning destroys value. Last month, a client brought me a 1958 Doubled Die that looked brilliant – until my microscope revealed telltale polish marks. Watch for:

• Rainbow reflections that look more like a funhouse mirror than natural toning
• Scratch patterns that swirl like a fingerprint (natural wear goes one direction)
• Dull spots near Lincoln’s beard where acid ate the surface

Quick Fix: Try this kitchen table test. Tilt the coin under a lamp. Natural wear creates shadows that move smoothly. Cleaned coins flash like they’re doing the cha-cha with the light.

Mistake 2: Tunnel Vision on Famous Dates

The Hidden Gems Most Collectors Miss

While everyone hunts 1909-S VDBs, I found a 1992 Close AM cent in a coffee can full of change – worth $15,000 because few check modern dates. My best finds came from:

“Looking where other collectors aren’t. That’s where the real treasures hide.” – My mentor at ANA Summer Seminar

Variety Hunting Starter Kit:

• Study RPMs (those tiny mintmark shifts) – especially 1960s Denver issues
• Use a cheap jeweler’s loupe – mine cost $12 and found a 1972 Doubled Die
• Bookmark Variety Vista – it’s free and updated weekly

Mistake 3: Slow Death by Storage

Your Album Might Be Killing Your Coins

I opened an inherited collection last winter where every cent had green PVC residue. The smell alone told me they’d been stored wrong for decades. Save your coins with:

• Humidity: Keep it like a fine cigar (40-50%)
• Temperature: Room temp – no attics or basements
• Holders: Saflips, not those sticky PVC flips

Rescue Mission: For coins already toning? Soak in distilled water for two days (change it daily), then pure acetone – no scrubbing!

Mistake 4: Trusting Before Testing

How Fake Cents Fooled Me Last Year

Three “1943 Bronze Cents” crossed my desk last month – all fakes using coated steel. Now I never skip these checks:

1. Weigh every key date (real copper: 3.11g, steel: 2.70g)
2. Magnet test ALL 1943 issues (learned this the hard way)
3. Check edges – fakes often have seem lines
4. Compare to PCGS photos under magnification

Mistake 5: Chasing Numbers Over Value

When MS-66 Means Money Wasted

My biggest regret? Paying $800 for a MS-65 1914-D that’s barely better than a $150 AU coin. Smart collectors:

• Buy “problem-free” VF coins for pre-1940 commons
• Splurge on quality ONLY for keys like 1914-S or 1931-S
• Wait for grading service specials – I saved $120 on submissions last quarter

Secret Weapon: Submit ANACS-graded coins to PCGS during crossover promotions – their conservative grading can score you free upgrades.

My $10 Lincoln Cent Toolkit

You don’t need fancy gear to start. My essential budget items:

• 30x Carson MicroBrite pocket scope ($10 on Amazon)
• Digital food scale accurate to 0.01g ($15 at Target)
• Magnet from an old hard drive (free!)
• 2024 Whitman Red Book (library copies work!)

Your Turn to Protect History

By dodging these five traps – fake shine fever, date myopia, toxic storage, trust issues, and grade addiction – you’ll save money and preserve history. Next time you handle a wheat cent, remember: you’re not just a collector, you’re a time capsule guardian.

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