How I Fixed My PCGS Variety Attribution Error on an 1849 Half Dime (Step-by-Step Guide)
November 29, 20253 High-Performance Optimization Strategies AAA Developers Can’t Afford to Ignore
November 29, 2025I’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:
- Weigh every key date (real copper: 3.11g, steel: 2.70g)
- Magnet test ALL 1943 issues (learned this the hard way)
- Check edges – fakes often have seem lines
- 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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