Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/26/2008

Question
We recently found a 1910 wheat penny at a site we've been working on. Normally this wouldn't be all that extraordinary, but this one has some lines etched in (very fine ones at that) coming out of Lincoln's mouth. (Almost in a bullhorn type pattern.)

I was wondering if you had ever seen or encountered such a thing before. We are all intrigued.

Answer
Hello Dene,                                 

I have not seen your particular coin but I can tell you the mint did not produce the coin this way.
I have see Lincoln smoking a pipe, initials the shape of the united States and even the outline of each state and various other imprints in the coin A megaphone would not surprise me at all.
There is such a nice blank field in front of his face most alterations are placed there.
These altered coins are not worth more to Lincoln Cent collectors and are only novelty items selling for a dollar or less.

I hope this information helps.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack