Expert: PAPAJACK - 11/16/2006

Question
Can you tell me how to find out if it is uncirculated or not?  I, of course have no idea on this..thanks!
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
In reading some other questions asked on this site, we have a 1945 copper Wheat(on the back) penny with One Cent noted on the back too...is this a product of counterfeiting?  Is the 1943 the only rare date out there?
-----Answer-----
Hello Heather,  

I do know they all are supposed to have ONE CENT on the coin since its inception.
The 1945 Cent in collectable circulated condition is valued from 10 cents to 25 cents. More if the coin is Uncirculated.

The 1943 is not a rare date at all, there were more than 900 million made at all three mints. Unless you find on in copper rather than steel. (I think less than 10 have been found)
The rarest wheat Back Lincoln Cent is the 1909 San Francisco with the initials V.D.B. on the reverse bottom.
There are a few runner up coins but not near as valuable, 1909-S, 1911-S, 1914-D,  1922 no D, 1924-D,  1931-S as well as some errors and misplaced mint mark cents.

Please remember to rate this answer at the bottom of this page. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack  

Answer
Hello Heather,   

By description the cent would have come to you from a bank roll in 1945 since there were no mint sets distributed in 1945.

In actuality you could have a mint state coin if it has no circulation marks.

Coins are valued on a scale from 1 to 70. And on how rare a coin is. With no or little experience it is sometimes easier letting a collector look at them, and even most coin shops will help for free on one or two pieces.
 
In each series of coin type like yours there are some quick reference points of wear to be seen on the high points that are known to show wear first. For grading the Cent Lincolns bow tie and ear wear first.
Most of these are covered in the RED BOOK. If you can borrow a copy it will help. The grading details it describes at the start of each coin series is taken from the American Numismatic Association Standard. And uses the 1 to 70 scale recognized by all professionals since the 1970's.

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Uncirculated (grade-AU50) on the scale.
Here's a quick wear/Grading guideline from the Redbook for Lincoln Wheat Cents:

GOOD or Grade 4 :
Date worn but apparent. Lines in the wheat heads missing. Full rims on coin.

VERY GOOD or Grade 8:
Half of line show in upper wheat heads.

FINE or Grade 12:
Wheat lines worn but visible.

VERY FINE or Grade 20:   
Cheek and Jaw bones worn but separated. All lines in wheat heads show, no worn spots.

EXTREMELY FINE or Grade 40:  
Only slight wear on coin. All details sharp.

MINT STATE Grade 60:
No trace of wear. Light blemishes or discoloration.

MINT STATE Grade 63:
No trace of wear. Slight blemishes.

MINT STATE Grade 65: STRICTLY NEVER CIRCULATED.  
NO TRACE OF WEAR. Nice luster on coin. Barely noticeable blemishes.

Please remember to rate this answer at the bottom of this page. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack