1931S Your Thoughts

[rarecollectibles]

I would like a little assurance about the coin I just purchased. It’s a 1931S Cent in what I believe is in VF condition. As the 31S is sometimes counterfeit, I have tried to compare it to known certified coins I found online. I believe it to be legit but would like a couple other opinions.

If there are any other close-ups that I should share just let me know.

Thanks, Dan

[georoxx]

Any real basis for your concern? Looks good to me.

-George

[coppercoins]

Mintmark is right style and in the right place. Date is the right style. It looks genuine to me, but could be a cleaned coin because the color looks off.

It also has EF-AU details. If it's not cleaned, you have at least an EF coin.

[1jackel1]

The coin looks genuine to me and as far as the color goes, i believe this coin was found face down in the water as the obv looks rusty and the reverse looks normal for its age, nice coin overall.

George

[simonm]

I'm pretty sure it's genuine. The only thing I don't like as much is the color, and that could be due to a variety of factors...but I don't think that is cause for much alarm.

[rarecollectibles]

Thank you! It was my first Lincoln purchase and am still finding my way through the mint mark varieties. I too was not excited about the color or the obverse but the grade was good and the price was right.
Thanks for the peace of mind,
Dan

[Arjohn]

Don't know as much as everyone else as to the pedigree of this coin -- but I have a question.... What is that over the T of States on the reverse..... ?

[liveandievarieties]

I agree with the first correct answer- from Chuck. The grade is what really caught my eye. Definitely AU details but lightly cleaned and re-toning nicely.

If you picked the coin up for somewhere in VF price range, you did just fine. This is a date more than nearly any other that has a high "sellability factor" as a problem coin. As a key date it still brings strong money when impaired or damaged. That's not to say you can't pick up a hole filler for a great price, or even resell it at a profit. Nice coin!

[liveandievarieties]

I have a question.... What is that over the T of States on the reverse..... ?

Looks like debris of some kind, it'll probably wash away with an acetone swab. Then again, the photos keep me from being certain of anything other than authenticity and approximate grade.

[rarecollectibles]

That is actually just a defect it the Mylar of the flip. Must have cast a shadow. I didn't want to remove it until I was satisfied it was the real deal.
Thanks
Dan

[rarecollectibles]

Guess I need some help with my photography skills. Lighting is my biggest challenge.

[liveandievarieties]

You sound like a pretty smart guy Dan. That's all some sellers need to refuse a return policy (not in it's original packaging...).

Don't be afraid to ask opinions on one or two examples of each key date you're considering purchasing. LCR has some pretty sharp members who have saved others a great deal of heartache. Of course, you'll probably know as much as many of us here if you keep researching and learning.

Nice to have you at LCR!

[admrose]

Mintmark is right style and in the right place. Date is the right style. It looks genuine to me, but could be a cleaned coin because the color looks off.

It also has EF-AU details. If it's not cleaned, you have at least an EF coin.

Chuck, I've noticed a disproportionate number of cleaned 31-S over the years compared to other keys...just a coincidence or is there a reason?

[GrumpyEd]

Just a guess, the reason the obv color may be different could be that the obv was cleaned or both sides cleaned but they worked more on the obv. Maybe they did it that way because someone had it in one of the old folders where you only see the obv.

31-S is a year where the price/grade increase isn't too steep. Since most are in higher grades and uncs are available the price doesn't change too much in the circ grades and even unc coins are not exponentially higher than circs. Sort of the opposite of the 14-d where it goes way way up in unc and even in the higher circ grades it increases fast.

[BadThad]

Mintmark is right style and in the right place. Date is the right style. It looks genuine to me, but could be a cleaned coin because the color looks off.

It also has EF-AU details. If it's not cleaned, you have at least an EF coin.

DITTO! That's exactly what I was going to write.