Vertical scratches before or after minting?

[dabrin]

This is a 1950-S cent graded by PCGS as MS-66+. I was very surprised that it got such a high grade with the vertical scratches on the obverse and next to "CENTS" on the reverse. Was this cent accepted for grading because the vertical scratches were on the die it was minted from? Or were they a result of wiping the surface with a cloth or something? Any comments would be appreciated.
-David

[VAB2013]

Congrats on the nice grade David! This is an outstanding looking 1950S! Looks to me like those vertical scratches are incuse, which would indicate it happened after the strike (PSD) - but it really doesn't take away from the beauty of this coin!

Love your avatar - I'm from Nashville but I've never seen Lincoln with a Gibson!!!

[dabrin]

Thanks VAB. Frankly I was expecting a MS-65 grade with hopes it wasn't a 64! Then it CAC'd at 66+ and I was really surprised. They also look to me as scratches put on by humans not the die but can't explain the grading. I also like the luster and strike of the coin.

[VAB2013]

Thanks VAB. Frankly I was expecting a MS-65 grade with hopes it wasn't a 64! Then it CAC'd at 66+ and I was really surprised. They also look to me as scratches put on by humans not the die but can't explain the grading. I also like the luster and strike of the coin.

You're welcome David... you can call me Viv! The guys here know a lot more about grading than I do so they will pitch in and help you with that question!

[makecents]

I think you will find the same die scratches here. Link (http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/d...&die_state=eds)

[Petespockets55]

Nice looking coin.
The vertical line through the right side of the T of CENT is not on top of the letter which indicates die scratch to me.
What is troubling to me, even though it is on the reverse, is the curvy line across AMER. That one appears from the image to be a scratch on the coin.

[VAB2013]

I think you will find the same die scratches here. Link (http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/d...&die_state=eds)

Wow Jon! Very nice work! David's awesome looking 1950S is also the same as Coppercoins 1950S-1MM-009!
So I was wrong David, those vertical scratches are die scratches and you have a very nice RPM!

[dabrin]

I think you will find the same die scratches here. Link (http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/d...&die_state=eds)

Yes! That is exactly like my coin. Here is a closeup of the date; does anyone see a variety in there?

Thanks for the help on this coin!
-David

[VAB2013]

To me... it's not easy to see the tripled upper serif in photos, but there's no doubt this is what you have!

Here's a link to Variety Vista that shows the S mint mark MMS-004 (Trumpet Tail) mint mark which was used in 1950. You can definitely see the difference in the thickness of the upper serif.

http://www.varietyvista.com/01a%20LC%20Doubled%20Dies%20Vol%201/San%20Francisco%20Mintmark%20Styles.htm

[makecents]

Yes! That is exactly like my coin. Here is a closeup of the date; does anyone see a variety in there?

Thanks for the help on this coin!
-David

Yes, it's a variety. The link I gave you is an RPM. Very nice pics, coin and RPM, congrats!!

[makecents]

Wow Jon! Very nice work! David's awesome looking 1950S is also the same as Coppercoins 1950S-1MM-009!
So I was wrong David, those vertical scratches are die scratches and you have a very nice RPM!

Thanks Viv!! Occasionally even a blind squirrel....

[dabrin]

Several years ago I purchased a photography setup from the great Ray Parkhurst and have never had any photography complaints since!
Here is a link to my cent collection with photos using the same setup. https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/hal...8/album/140888

[VAB2013]

Thanks Viv!! Occasionally even a blind squirrel....

Jon... I'm not going to let you get by with that statement! You NAILED it Bro!!!! Awesome job!!!!

[VAB2013]

Several years ago I purchased a photography setup from the great Ray Parkhurst and have never had any photography complaints since!
Here is a link to my cent collection with photos using the same setup. https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/hal...8/album/140888

Well geez David... here I thought you might be a newbie! No way! You have an awesome photography set up from the great and famous Ray Parkhurst!!! And on top of that you have an excellent looking registry set going on!!! Very impressive!!!

[dabrin]

Thanks Viv! I've enjoyed collecting Lincoln Cents for a long time but only recently got onto the forums. I'm not normally a variety collector and have always concentrated on older Wheat cents.