Smart Buying Guide: How to Acquire *The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922* and Authentic 1922 Plain & 1922-D Cents Without Getting Ripped Off

If you’re looking to add this to your collection, you need a strategy to get the best deal. Whether you’ve just discovered The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922 and are hunting for a copy of the book itself, or whether the book has inspired you to finally pursue those elusive 1922 Plain and 1922-D Lincoln cents it so masterfully documents, you’re entering a niche but passionate corner of the numismatic marketplace. As someone who has watched this segment of the hobby evolve for years, I can tell you that knowledge is your single greatest asset — and that a little knowledge can be a good thing, though too much of it can be dangerous to your bank account.

This guide is designed to arm you with everything you need to make smart, confident purchasing decisions — whether you’re buying the limited-edition hardcover reference book, a raw 1922 Plain cent, or a slabbed 1922-D graded by a major service. We’ll cover where to buy, the red flags that should make you walk away, proven negotiating tips, and the critical raw-versus-slabbed debate that every Lincoln cent collector must navigate.

Understanding the Fascination: Why 1922 Lincoln Cents Matter

Before we dive into the buying guide, it’s worth understanding why this particular year has generated such a devoted following — and why a limited-edition book of only 250 hardcover copies has become a sought-after collectible in its own right.

The year 1922 is unique in Lincoln cent history. It is the only year in the entire Lincoln Wheat cent series (1909–1958) in which no cents were struck bearing a mint mark. The Philadelphia Mint, which typically omitted mint marks, was the sole facility producing cents that year because the Denver and San Francisco Mints were either retooling or otherwise occupied. This alone makes 1922 a fascinating year for researchers and historians.

But the real intrigue lies in the varieties:

• 1922 “Plain” (no mint mark, Philadelphia): The standard issue, but even here there are notable die varieties. Collectors distinguish between weak reverse and strong reverse examples, with the strong reverse being more desirable for its sharper detail and superior eye appeal.
• 1922-D (Denver): Technically, no 1922-D cent should exist — Denver did not strike cents with a “D” mint mark that year. However, a small number of 1922 cents with a faint or partial “D” mint mark are known, the result of die anomalies. These are extremely rare and command significant premiums, making them one of the most sought-after rare varieties in the entire Wheat cent series.
• Die varieties (VAMs): The 1922 Plain cents have been extensively studied under the Van Allen-Mallis (VAM) system, with multiple die pairings identified that show subtle but important differences in strike quality, die wear, and mint mark visibility. Understanding these distinctions is essential for assessing true numismatic value.

As one collector in the forum noted, Tom’s book is “really a lot more than ‘just’ a book about the 1922 cent — it really is like opening a time capsule of what was happening at the US Mint during the early 1920s.” That historical depth is precisely what makes this area of collecting so rewarding — and why buyers need to approach it with both enthusiasm and caution.

Where to Buy: Evaluating Your Options

1. Author Direct (Softcover and Hardcover Editions)

One of the forum posts revealed that the author (referred to as “Tom” and “TD”) was offering autographed softcover editions directly for $50 delivered, with a discounted price of $42 for fellow collectors. Buying direct from the author is almost always your best option when it comes to reference books because:

• You guarantee authenticity and a pristine copy in mint condition.
• The author often includes personalization or signatures that add provenance and long-term collectibility.
• You avoid third-party markup.
• You support the researcher directly, encouraging future scholarship.

The limited hardcover edition — reportedly only 250 copies printed — commands a premium. If you see one of these on the secondary market, expect to pay a significant markup above the original retail price. In my experience tracking limited-edition numismatic publications, scarcity of this magnitude typically leads to steady appreciation, especially as the book gains recognition within the collecting community.

2. Major Online Retailers (Amazon, AbeBooks, etc.)

As one forum member suggested, Amazon is a viable option for the paperback edition. However, be cautious:

• Verify the edition: Make sure you’re buying the correct version. If the limited hardcover is what you want, a standard paperback won’t suffice.
• Check seller ratings: Stick to sellers with 98% or higher positive feedback.
• Compare prices across platforms: Amazon isn’t always the cheapest. AbeBooks, Biblio, and even eBay can have competitive listings.

3. Coin Dealers and Numismatic Shows

If your goal is to acquire the actual 1922 cents discussed in the book, coin dealers and numismatic shows remain the gold standard. Here’s why:

• Hands-on inspection: You can examine luster, color, and surface quality in person — something photographs rarely capture accurately. There’s no substitute for holding a coin under good light and assessing its eye appeal firsthand.
• Expert dealers often specialize: Dealers who focus on Lincoln cents will know the VAM varieties and can guide you toward authentic, correctly attributed pieces with strong strikes and original patina.
• Show atmosphere encourages negotiation: Dealers at shows are often more willing to negotiate than in a shop setting, especially on the final day when they’d rather sell than pack up inventory.

4. Online Auction Houses (Heritage, Stack’s Bowers, GreatCollections)

For high-end examples — particularly 1922 Plain cents in MS red or high-grade 1922-D pieces — major auction houses offer several advantages:

• Third-party authentication and grading.
• Detailed photography and descriptions that document every aspect of the coin’s condition.
• Provenance documentation for significant pieces, adding to their desirability and resale value.

The trade-off is that auction premiums (buyer’s fees of 15–22%) can significantly increase your total cost. Factor these into your bidding strategy before you raise a paddle.

Red Flags: What Should Make You Walk Away

Over the years, I’ve seen too many collectors — especially newcomers to the 1922 cent market — fall victim to common pitfalls. Here are the red flags I watch for:

Authenticity Concerns

• Mint mark tampering: While 1922 Plain cents should have no mint mark, unscrupulous sellers have been known to remove a mint mark from a 1922-D to pass it off as a scarcer variety — or conversely, to add a mint mark. Examine the area around where the mint mark should appear under magnification for tooling marks or unnatural surface disruption.
• Altered dates: Less common for 1922, but always verify that the date is genuine and not a modification from another year.
• Counterfeit books: For a limited-edition book of only 250 copies, counterfeiting is less likely but not impossible. Verify the publisher, ISBN, and any certificates of authenticity.

Condition and Grading Red Flags

• “Raw” coins with inflated grades: A seller claiming a coin is “MS-65” or “Gem Uncirculated” without third-party grading is making a subjective claim. In my experience grading Lincoln cents over many years, the gap between a dealer’s self-assessed grade and a professional grade can be 3–5 points on the Sheldon scale — a difference that can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars in numismatic value.
• Cleaned or whizzed coins: Look for unnatural brightness, hairline scratches under magnification, or a “dipped” appearance that strips away original patina. A cleaned coin is worth significantly less than an uncleaned example of the same technical grade, and the damage to its long-term collectibility is often irreversible.
• Photography tricks: Be wary of photos taken in overly warm lighting (which can hide discoloration) or at angles that obscure problem areas. Always request multiple high-resolution images from different angles before committing to a purchase.
• Slabbed coins in non-PCGS/NGC/ANACS holders: Third-party grading services like PCI, SEGS, and others have historically been less consistent. For a coin as significant as a 1922 Plain in high grade, I strongly recommend sticking with PCGS, NGC, or ANACS to ensure accurate grading and maximum liquidity.

Seller Behavior Red Flags

• Pressure to buy immediately (“I have another buyer interested”).
• Refusal to provide additional photos or information.
• Prices that seem too good to be true — they almost always are.
• No return policy on raw coins.

Negotiating Tips: Getting the Best Price

Negotiation is an expected and respected part of numismatic transactions. Here are strategies I’ve used and recommended throughout my career:

1. Do your homework before you negotiate. Know the current market value by checking recent auction results on Heritage, Stack’s Bowers, and GreatCollections. For the limited-edition book, check completed eBay listings to see what copies have actually sold for — not just what sellers are asking.
2. Buy multiple items. If you’re purchasing both a 1922 Plain and a 1922-D, or a coin along with the reference book, you have leverage to ask for a package deal. Dealers are almost always more willing to discount when the total transaction size increases.
3. Cash talks. This is especially true at coin shows. Offering cash payment (or a check from a known buyer) can often shave 5–10% off the asking price because the dealer avoids credit card processing fees and gets immediate payment.
4. Point out legitimate flaws. If a raw coin has a barely perceptible mark or the toning isn’t quite right, use that as a negotiating point — respectfully. Most knowledgeable dealers will appreciate an informed buyer and will negotiate in good faith.
5. Build relationships. The forum thread showed a dealer (TD) offering a fellow collector a discounted price of $42 instead of $50. That kind of generosity happens when you’ve established yourself as a serious, respectful collector. Attend shows regularly, buy consistently, and treat dealers as partners, not adversaries.
6. Be willing to walk away. This is the most powerful negotiating tool you have. If a seller won’t budge on price and you feel the value isn’t there, politely decline. Often, you’ll hear from them later with a better offer.

Raw vs. Slabbed: The Great Debate

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a collector of 1922 Lincoln cents, and it deserves careful consideration.

The Case for Raw Coins

• Lower cost: Raw coins are almost always cheaper than their slabbed counterparts because you’re not paying for the grading service’s encapsulation, labeling, and guarantee.
• Learning opportunity: Handling raw coins helps you develop your eye for quality, luster, and color — skills that are essential for any serious collector. You’ll learn to appreciate the subtle differences in strike and patina that make each piece unique.
• Flexibility: You can choose to have the coin graded later, or you can keep it in a personal collection without the premium of a third-party grade.
• Better for lower-value pieces: For a 1922 Plain in Fine or Very Fine condition, the cost of grading ($20–$50+ per coin depending on the service and turnaround time) may not be justified by the coin’s market value.

The Case for Slabbed (Certified) Coins

• Authenticity guaranteed: A PCGS or NGC slab means the coin has been examined by professional graders and verified as genuine. For a coin like the 1922 Plain — where mint mark anomalies and die varieties can be confusing — this peace of mind is invaluable.
• Consistent grading: While no grading service is perfect, PCGS and NGC are widely considered the most consistent. A PCGS MS-64 1922 Plain will be recognizable and tradable across the entire market.
• Higher resale value: Slabbed coins typically command a premium when you decide to sell. The liquidity is simply better, and provenance is established through the certification process.
• Essential for high-grade pieces: If you’re considering a 1922 Plain in MS-65 or above, third-party grading is virtually mandatory. The price difference between an honest MS-65 and a cleaned or artificially enhanced example can be enormous.

My Recommendation

For most collectors building a 1922 cent collection, I recommend a hybrid approach:

1. Buy raw coins for lower-grade examples (Good through Extremely Fine) where the grading cost isn’t justified and you have confidence in your ability to assess quality.
2. Buy slabbed coins for anything AU and above, especially if the coin is a key variety or has a premium attached to its grade.
3. Always buy the reference book — whether hardcover or softcover — before or alongside your coin purchases. As the forum discussion makes clear, the historical context of why 1922 cents exist at all (and why some varieties are so scarce) makes you a far more informed and confident buyer.

Pricing Benchmarks: What to Expect to Pay

While prices fluctuate with market conditions, here are approximate ranges as of recent market observations. Always verify current pricing through multiple sources.

The Book

• Autographed softcover (direct from author): $42–$50 delivered.
• Limited edition hardcover (250 copies): Significantly higher; check recent auction results and forum sales. As a limited-run reference, expect prices to appreciate over time as collectibility increases.
• Paperback via Amazon: Varies; compare across sellers.

1922 Plain Lincoln Cents

• Good to Fine (raw): $2–$15 depending on variety and eye appeal.
• Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (raw): $15–$75.
• MS-63 to MS-64 (slabbed, PCGS/NGC): $75–$300+ depending on color (red, red-brown, brown) and die variety.
• MS-65 and above (slabbed): $300–$1,500+ for premium examples with strong reverse details, original luster, and full red color.

1922-D Lincoln Cents

Remember: genuine 1922-D cents (with a visible “D” mint mark) are extremely rare anomalies. Most “1922-D” cents are actually 1922 Plain coins with die doubling or other anomalies that create the appearance of a mint mark. True 1922-D specimens command substantial premiums and should always be purchased in certified holders from PCGS or NGC.

Building Your Collection: A Strategic Approach

Based on the enthusiasm expressed in the forum thread — where even non-Lincoln collectors admitted the book made them “want to buy some 1922 Lincolns” — here’s a stepwise strategy I recommend:

1. Start with the book. Read it thoroughly. Understand the die varieties, the historical context, and the reasons behind the 1922 Plain’s existence. This knowledge will save you money on every subsequent purchase and sharpen your eye for quality.
2. Acquire a representative 1922 Plain in a mid-grade (VF to XF). This gives you a solid, affordable example to study and enjoy while you learn to appreciate the nuances of strike, luster, and patina.
3. Upgrade selectively. Once you understand the market and have developed your eye, invest in a higher-grade slabbed example — ideally MS-63 or above with strong original luster and appealing surfaces.
4. Pursue the strong reverse variety. As one collector mentioned purchasing, the strong reverse 1922 Plain is more desirable and tends to hold its value better due to its superior eye appeal and sharper detail.
5. Network with other collectors. The forum thread demonstrates the value of community — from learning about edition sizes to receiving insider pricing on autographed copies. Join numismatic forums, attend local coin club meetings, and build relationships with dealers who specialize in Lincoln cents.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the 1922 Lincoln Cent

The 1922 Lincoln cent occupies a truly unique place in American numismatics. It is the only year in the entire Wheat cent series with no officially minted variety bearing a mint mark — a quirk of history born from the practical realities of Mint operations in the early 1920s. As the forum discussion so eloquently put it, “it really is just a matter of chance that we had any 1922 cents at all.”

The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922 captures that improbable history in remarkable detail, transforming what might seem like a simple one-year collecting project into a rich exploration of the inner workings of the United States Mint during a fascinating period. The fact that only 250 hardcover copies were printed makes the book itself a collectible that will only grow in stature and value as the 1922 cent community continues to expand.

Whether you’re purchasing the book, the coins, or both, the key principles remain the same: educate yourself, verify authenticity, know your price points, and never be afraid to negotiate. The collectors who thrive in this hobby are the ones who combine passion with discipline — who let the history excite them but let the market data guide their decisions.

As one forum member wisely noted, “a little knowledge can be a good thing.” Take that to heart. Read the book, study the varieties, examine the coins, and engage with the community. The 1922 Lincoln cent story is one of the most compelling in all of American numismatics, and now is an excellent time to become part of it.

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