A list challenge has been presented to me...

[benhambaseballcards]

If this question has already been asked and answered, I apologize, and I ask only that I be directed to that info. It is my understanding that a cross reference list is something that would be helpful, so that is the reason for this query.

Can someone tell me the exact names of any and/or all of the current respected lists for Lincoln Cents? I wish to include absolutely all commonly recognized lists if I decide to create a cross reference catalog, as that challenge was presented to me in the beginning of this thread. I am pretty sure that, based on the info that I have gathered from this board, there are several different largely respected ones out there, and probably hundreds of lesser known versions. I am now asking for everyone's opinion on what lists they feel should be considered the most respected lists out there. For those that are interested in responding to this question, if you could list the names in order from your most respected (#1) to least, that would allow me to truly understand "what is what" as far as Lincoln Cent lists/guides go.

Everyone please feel free to post in response to this, whether a coin veteran or rookie, new member, or LCR pro. List as many or as few names as you would like, as some people may only recognize a couple of lists, while others may use 20 different ones. I will do all of the digging, so don't feel obligated to post site domains, but obviously you can if you would like to.

A huge thanks to Brad for creating this site, and including so much info that is easy to access on the Home page, as well as creating a forum for everyone to continue to grow their Lincoln Cents knowledge to infinite levels. In my previous attempts to get deeper into coins, after about a week, I just seem to lose interest. It is because of this site, and the people on it, that that my interest in coins is still going strong, well after a week.

[jcuve]

I just want to point a few challenges to a cross attribution list. If one had a DDO, let's say a class VI '84, it could be listed on Coppercoins, by Wexler Crawford and CONECA but either due to a lack of markers and pictures or the coin being submitted by a range of collectors in different die states thus making a cross attribution impossible.

Bob and Chuck have done a great job at Coppercoins.com of including other numbers, but that has taken years and the result of a lot of hard work and attributions for that site. Without doing that attribution yourself, it would likely be even harder to complete. I would also mention that I would imagine that only someone (or a group of people) who fully understand the classes of hub doubling and die state analysis would be able to gain any traction on such a project.

I wish you luck and will be excited to see the other comments on the subject...

[jfines69]

While Jason is correct in his points I do not think the intent is to become an attributer but just to make a list of known errors/varieties that is referenced between the more respective attributers... Like when a coin listed at CC as 001 can cross over to say Wexlers 017 or CONECA (With no pics) as 022... While Jason is correct about this taking a long time some of the work is already complete... It is just not in one handy place... I have no favorite list but use CC the most... CONECA lacks the pics which makes it to difficult for me anyway!!!

[lara4228]

I agree. Even though I still know little and even more so on attributing coins, but from my personal experience, it seems that when it comes to attributing coins, the same thought pattern as art applies, its all in the eye of the beholder.

Basically you will have your fundamental and concrete basic basis for attributing, but each person who is a reputable attributer will then have individual coins IN HAND to attribute...thus making each one a different aspect for each variety.

With this it will make it hard for all files to come together as one master file, because, well, they are master files.

I hope I have said this correctly? And furthermore I hope I haven't offended anyone? (which I don't I have but....????)

Benbbc....I truly understand your burning desire to organize it all....I have operate the same way...FILE IT! ORGANIZE IT! lol, just not my desk! , but I've posed the same question, and probably we all have on here at one time or another. And we all get the same answer....(see above)

****If***** you are able to find a little loop hole to somehow magically weave it all together and simplify it and choreograph it all....YEAH! If not yet.....good luck and I'm rooting right behind ya!

[BadThad]

I just want to point a few challenges to a cross attribution list. If one had a DDO, let's say a class VI '84, it could be listed on Coppercoins, by Wexler Crawford and CONECA but either due to a lack of markers and pictures or the coin being submitted by a range of collectors in different die states thus making a cross attribution impossible.

Bob and Chuck have done a great job at Coppercoins.com of including other numbers, but that has taken years and the result of a lot of hard work and attributions for that site. Without doing that attribution yourself, it would likely be even harder to complete. I would also mention that I would imagine that only someone (or a group of people) who fully understand the classes of hub doubling and die state analysis would be able to gain any traction on such a project.

I wish you luck and will be excited to see the other comments on the subject...

Indeed. The complexities and the time involved are prohibitive. Really, there's no need for a comprehensive list since one can consult the current resources on an adhoc basis.

[liveandievarieties]

What era were you thinking about starting your list with Benham?
There was Spadone in the 1960s, you could begin with Wexler's early works of the 70s and early 80s......or jump into the Cherrypicker's Guide Era that began in the late 90s? There are many dozens, if not hundreds of references and attribution lists, how inclusive are you planning on making your list?

[benhambaseballcards]

I apologize for asking the question. I am now uncomfortable enough that I don't even want to comment in a thread that I started because of what I have seen happen to the newer members in other threads. I never thought that people on here would try to discourage me from doing a compilation list because of its difficulty level, or non-necessity. That was my point in accepting the challenge, because it is hard. I have thanked the appropriate people for giving me the names of some of the lists that are out there so I can get started.

Kristofer Benham

[mustbebob]

I think the 'All inclusive list' will be impossible for the reasons listed by some folks above. Other things need to be considered as well. For instance, I only list Lincoln cents on coppercoins, and have about 2600 varieties listed. You start adding all the other denominations and the numbers start getting prohibitive. Also, something I list may not be seen the same way as another attributer. My 'too minor to list' criteria is also not the same as other attributer's.
The cross references I list on coppercoins has been very time consuming as mentioned as well. I do that only when I am absolutely sure my listed variety matches exactly what the other file systems list. A lot of these are because I actually have the coin and have sent it out to others, or I get the numbers from folks like those here on this board who send coins out to more than one attributer.
If anyone has a positive match on coppercoins, to a coin listed with another file number, I will be happy to update my files. To me, that is the fastest way to get cross reference information on the site.
I will never stand in anyone's way who wants to tackle this daunting task, and I will help any way I can. However, like many projects, the thought and initial effort are admirable, until the scale of the task hits home. Then, they tend to get left for a while, and ultimately left unfinished. Such is the nature of numismatics. I don't think finding and listing all varieties will ever be completed 100%.

[benhambaseballcards]

Alright, I got it. I won't do any lists at all. I already apologized for asking this question. Can we not go ahead and just continue making me feel like a moron by pointing out how difficult, unnecessary, and now impossible my idea is. Someone please lock or delete this thread for me quickly so at least a few people don't see it and think that I am completely stupid. This is the reason that I didn't want to reply. Most of the responses that have been posted are not even related to my question, but pointing that out on here only gets you the generic "don't ask for opinions if you don't want them" response, even if I am correct in stating that.

[Brad]

A member here named Wheatcents created a huge cross-reference list...over 2600 cents. You should PM him.

[DoubleYou]

When I find a coin, I describe it according to all the lists I can cross-reference it too. Chances are someone knows about one of them!

[benhambaseballcards]

Wow, even more disappointing is that someone else has already done this list. Funny how no one mentioned that to me before telling me how bad of an idea it was. I'll bet people didn't tell him not to try because it is hard, unnecessary, or impossible. I kinda get the feeling now that I don't fit in here.

[Roller]

I think you need to breathe deeply and contemplate for a while in a dark room. I see nothing in the responses that would be demeaning. If you can't take an honest (even if critical) response don't stick your neck out; rather, keep it in your shell.

[DoubleYou]

Don't think that! It was a very valid question, just a very hard one to rectify. Keep the questions coming! As long as you get replies, you're doing just fine!

[busyeye]

Don't think that! It was a very valid question, just a very hard one to rectify. Keep the questions coming! As long as you get replies, you're doing just fine!

Hang in there benham. I believe your initial question was understood and even answered. It seems like a very long intensive process is all, to do what your asking. I commend even the idea of it. Don't let anything or anyone water down your idea(s). Now that you know someone already started that process you now have a contact. Just that not everyone has the right answer we want to hear and that's all good. I think you should stick around for a while and give it all time. Your question wasn't stupid it was challenging and you received challenging answers...so start there...in fact I believe you started the challenge for as daunting as it may turn out to be.