The pictures are of the coin you will receive if you buy. (please see the grading scale below).

There are plating blisters all over the obverse and reverse. It would be tough to have more blisters than it does.

General Coin Grading

As I inspect a coin I check its grade but I always ask myself if I would want it in my own collection. Each collector knows what condition coins they collect and everyone is different. Coins can be attractive in BU or AG conditions or unattractive. I am very careful to only sell coins I think look satisfactory regardless of grade. 

Dirt and or grime is considered a normal element of old coins. Dirt does not affect the grade of a coin. 

No culls such as but not limited to beat up coins, bad dents, scraps, bad scratches on focal points of the coin, badly corroded, holed, harshly cleaned coins, badly stained or they just don't suit my eye. 

No such problem coins are sold by me unless the defect(s) are pointed out in the item description.

If you ever get a coin that doesn't meet my description please let me know ASAP before contacting eBay. Regardless of my official policy, I'll make good if I send you a bad coin. I inspect hundreds of coins each week. I'm human and likely will make a mistake from time to time. 

I can do more to correct an issue than eBay can and I'm quicker to deal with. It's in my best interest to only sell satisfactory coins and provide quality service. I don't want bad reviews and will correct negative issues as quickly as possible. 

Lincoln Penny Grades

AG (About Good) 

Obverse: Lincoln's portrait is flat and only an outline remains. The legend and date are readable but are almost worn flat and are merging into the rim.

Reverse: The entire design is flat. The wheat ears are mostly flat with maybe some remnants of the grains of wheat still faintly recognizable.

G (Good) 

Obverse: The portrait of Lincoln is well-worn and some details are starting to show through on his coat and the upper part of his hair. The legend and date are visible and are separated from the rim of the coin.

Reverse: The overall design is flat and some details in the grains of wheat are barely visible.

VG(Very Good)

Obverse: The outline of Lincoln's hair is visible and some details are starting to show through. The cheek and jaw are separate but flat. Some details of the ear are visible. The legend and date are clear and bold.

Reverse: The wheat stalks are showing some detail and about half of the lines at the top of the wheat stalks are visible. The letters are bold and distinct.

F (Fine) 

Obverse: The overall design is clear and bold. Some details in the hair are starting to show through. The cheek and jaw are smooth and the ear and the bow tie are visible.

Reverse: Most details in the stalks of wheat are visible. The lines at the top of the wheat stalks are worn but most are clearly separated.

VF (Very Fine) 

Obverse: Lincoln's head shows considerable wear but almost all details are present on his hair and face. The ear and the bowtie are worn but they are defined and distinct. There is a separation of Lincoln's cheek and jaw.

Reverse: The wheat stalks are worn but the lines are clearly defined with no weak spots. The grains of wheat are distinct but flat.

EF (Extra Fine) 

Obverse: There is abrasion on the hair above the ear, the cheek and the jaw evidenced by some very slight flatness. Some traces of mint luster may still be seen.

Reverse: The high points on the wheat stalks (the grains of wheat) show some very slight wear but all details are distinct and well defined.

AU (About Uncirculated) 

Obverse: Only a slight trace of wear exists on the highest points of Lincoln's portrait (the cheek and jaw) but they are not flat.

Reverse: A slight trace of wear exists on the top of the wheat stalks but the detail is full and not flat.

UNC. (Uncirculated)

No wear other than bag marks. May have some or full toning. Might have minor spotting from the minting process. 

BU (Brilliant Uncirculated)

A BU coin is in MS (Mint State). BU coins will have all their mint luster. The coin should look like it was just minted. 

GEM (GEM) A coin in GEM condition is in MS and it has a good strike and not many if any bag marks.