1926 wheat penny

[Guest]

i found one a few days back and its perplexed me ever since on its grade for a few reasons im new to grading for one its fully detailed so im thinking its at least gotta hit mint state in grade problem is its still fully shiny but its jet black possibly painted possibly nail polish i dont know i just know its not red its not brown its not red/brown its black i dont think anyone would buy it in fact its not for sale but im just learning how to grade and wondering what yall think would be a good way to look at this coin as far as would or should i deduct points for color cause as i said if i had it graded in a slab id expect the condition as far as details go to be mint state 70 but should i deduct for the color would you i dont have a picture but based on what i told you what do yall say

[liveandievarieties]

If a coin is damaged, it doesn't get a numerical grade. If it's an expensive coin, often you'll see them described as Damaged, VF details or whatever condition it appears to be.
Learning to grade coins is both challenging, frustrating and rewarding. I can't know where you are in your progressing education, but for anyone- a good starting point is to begin with a copy of the ANA Grading Standards. This will help you to become familiar with circulated grades, which one must have as a foundation before they can attempt mint state grading. Grading coins from MS-60 thru 70 is somewhat more difficult. It's really something that has to be experienced, not learned. PCGS has a good reference on grading and will shed a lot of light on the subject, but ultimately, there's no substitute for hands on experience. When you're ready to begin learning about MS grading, a friendly and understanding dealer who has a variety of slabs in their inventory can be an excellent resource for learning. In short, it's an incredibly complex subject that can't be summed up with a single coin or series of coins. Each series has different variables which effect it's grades. Lincolns are a fantastic series to cut your teeth on.

[kingofcoins]

im kinda leaning on the fence on this one because i can not see copper if its indeed damaged or toned do toned coins fall along the lines of not getting a numerical grade as well also as of right now i need 17 coins to complete my set all keys and semi keys i been told i did buy 2 my vdb and my 22D i paid 10 for the vdb 8 for the 22D the rest were given to me being a disabled collector i got a great start with the help of a friend and most recently i received the last philly i needed from another LCR member it was a 32P in two years collecting it was the only philly i had left to get and roll searching wasnt finding it i in fact had given up hope on ever finding one i hear those are tough years to get but i was usually getting right around it 31P or 33P but never the 32P my next goal is either gonna be the D or S mints depending on which i can find cheaper the 14D or 31S im thinking its gonna be the D minted coins

[Pat]

Here's an example of a Damaged Graded Coin..

[liveandievarieties]

Toned coins are not at all considered damaged, there's a tremendous difference between the two. But from what you described, it sounds like someone messed with it. Anything that tones black, has problems either way. Toning is a natural oxidization process that can produce gentle to wild hues of color as well as nearly any shade in the rainbow. But when you say black, that's not a pretty image, nor is it a shade that would be considered toning. Black coins that aren't intentionally colored are generally victims of corrosion.

[lara4228]

Thats an interesting point about black coloured coins. Since I've started to look at coins, I've come across 3 black pennies in which originally I thought of as marked/penciled cents. But when I came across my third one, I started to change my thought process on them. Too coincidental that 3 'looked' as though someone drew on them with a pencil, yet the colour didn't come off. I tossed them back into my bucket and never really thought too much about them.

Lets think about this for a moment, (with me now really knowing much about the natural aging/oxidization process), but if a coin can tone any colour of the 'rainbow' why can't it go black?

On that thought, one may argue, and presumably be right, that the black 'tarnish' if you may, be natural. Natural in the sense of natural environmental chemicals (whether it be in the air, enclosed in the same area as the coin, whatever have you). And if this 'black' has occurred naturally, is it thus damaged or toned?

I will try to find my 'black' coins if I still have them and post pictures for a "show and tell" visual.

[jfines69]

The problem with black coins is that it is to easy to produce these artificially using a wide range of items including vinegar... But then again so could toned coins!!!

[lara4228]

thats right and some like to collect toned coins. meh maybe one should start to collect black coins? ;)