Rare Coin | 1914 d

[Guest]

I recently auctioned this 1914 D wheat cent on ebay. After shipping the coin I received this message from the buyer.

"It is with regret that I must return the 1914 D Lincoln cent. It is my opinion that the obverse is not original; it appears that the obverse has been rubbed and it results in an abnormal sheen. The reverse is OK in my opinion. I would have liked to slab the coin ; but will not take a chance to submit with negative results. Hope you understand and will return to your return address, insured with delivery confirmation or signature confirmation."

At first I could not figure out what he could mean by rubbed.
Then suddenly it dawned on me that my dads Dansco album the 14D has been in for at least 25 years is very old and has cracked and separated into three sections. I've been keeping my coins in a plastic tote that has been moved around some here lately. It was in my vehicle when I relocated to a new house back in July. It's my guess that the rubbed appearence he speaks of came from it being moved about and or sliding against the 25S opposite the 14D in the album. Stupidly I had been folding the album together best I could in it's separated condition. I have no problem refunding his money I'm just wondering if anyone can validate this claim. Also curious what I could do different photographically to avoid similar issues in the future.

There is a link to the ended auction and I am including the photos I posted and the photos I took of the album after receiving the above message on ebay. He's talking like he wants the refund before shipping the coin back. How do I protect myself from someone returning a different coin to me or the same coin with new flaws or no coin at all? Should I be looking at different options for selling my wheat cents. ie Heritage or teletrade? Should I be getting a coin like this slabbed/graded before I sell it?

Thanks in advance
Dale Bryant

Thanks in advance to all who can give me any advice on this.

[DoubleYou]

I don't think he means that it was rubbed against your 1925-S every time you folded the folder. I think he means that it was thumbed or rubbed to make the spot on the bowtie less evident. To avoid these problems you should slab your coins, perhaps with ANACS on this one.

[jcuve]

The refund has to happen after you get it back. I would definitely take it back without question. The buyer may just regret spending $600+ - or might have thought it was a higher grade for the price and is now looking for a way out. EBay will not let you win on this without a good reason. I agree the album did not create a shiny area.

It is not bad looking, but a ANACS or ICG slab, while not the best in some eyes, would help to cover you. I would suggest bringing it to a good dealer and get their grade of the coin and address the obverse condition. If there's the perception of a problem (and I choose the word perception purposefully), regardless of the reason (or lack of one) behind whatever has/is causing it, you may have to state it in a future auction or risk another return.

Teletrade and Heritage have various pros and cons. Heritage is big and won't work with you unless the total worth of the coins reaches a certain (somewhat high) threshold.

[liveandievarieties]

I see the spot at the bow, but in my experience, unless you have actual corrosion there, this coin should have no problem getting into a slab. It's quite reasonable for someone to be concerned about what a grading company may not like, but in my experience, I've seen many, many Lincolns with worse problems. Here's a good example of a coin I'm selling, it's in a PCGS slab as XF-45, no problems. As a raw coin, it wouldn't get a second glance from anyone on eBay-

http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=3030&lot=1049&imagetype=j2

There was a time where grading companies were incredibly selective, but they've loosened up a bit. I think certification would make your coin MUCH easier to sell.
The fact is, there are tons and tons of fakes on eBay. The vast majority of unslabbed 1955 doubled dies are either counterfeit or with major issues which keep them from being in problem free, numerical grade holders. I am pretty sure that your overall price realized for the coin reflects bidder's lack of confidence in what is found on eBay on the whole.

There is something rather fun about your coin, while it may well get certified as a nice XF example (I don't think there are any issues that would prevent it from getting a normal grade), it's conceivable that your coin could get a grade of AU-50 if it has enough natural luster. This is notable because an AU '14-D brings literally TWICE what an XF does. Buyers on eBay (this is probably the very best place to sell it) are very cautious when it comes to raw coins. If you spent $30 slabbing it with PCGS (that's the company I would recommend for this specific coin), it will add $100 or more to the resale value of your coin, and calm the concerns of potential buyers.

I've often returned a nice wheat because of concerns of "originality", but in my own opinion, I think you have a fantastic coin, I'd be proud to have this one in my collection and wouldn't think twice about it's ability to be certified. I'm jealous of your coin!!

[19dale62]

Sorry late replying and thanks for all the great feedback. I have the coin back and I think I will take the advice to slab it and go from there. I had every intention of giving him the refund. Just wanted to get some advice from you experts here on Lincoln Cent Resource.

Thanks again to all.
Dale

[KennyMac]

Dale, there are some people would complain if they got something for free...and still they would demand a refund.

Get it slabbed, and enjoy an even better profit margin...

[Pat]

Sorry late replying and thanks for all the great feedback. I have the coin back and I think I will take the advice to slab it and go from there. I had every intention of giving him the refund. Just wanted to get some advice from you experts here on Lincoln Cent Resource.

Thanks again to all.
Dale

It's a nice looking 1914 D to me or someone in my financial lifestyle. I would suggest getting a NGC Membership the 2nd tier one gets you 5 coins graded and slabbed free with the membership fee. As well as you have access to NCS to possible conserve the coin before grading.