1943-S Lincoln Cent--NGC says MS69--What say you?

The following coin is currently up for auction in the 2010 June Long Beach, CA Signature US Coin Auction #1140

Singular MS69 1943-S Cent

1943-S 1C MS69 NGC. As the only MS69 1943-S cent in the combined certified population (4/10), this coin is an important trump for the Registry collector. Steel-white surfaces are tinged in blue with small variations in the luster on the reverse and a few minor areas of color at the right obverse border. Boldly defined overall but with a slight striking defect on the 4 in the date and the nearby mintmark.(Registry values: N1) (#2717)





1943-S Lincoln Cent NGC MS69

Now call me crazy but I can see 5 distinct hits on the word CENT on the reverse. In my mind, I can't call anything that has 5 separate contact marks an MS69. There is no doubt that the coin is a premium gem, but what should it really grade? NGC says MS69, what say you?

Please vote in the attached poll.

 

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What say you?

I say something other than 69.

67 at best.

But we all know pictures can be deceiving.

 

Okay. You showed us the prize, but what's the contest? How do I enter.

 

Beautiful coin. PCGS would have given it a 67. TC

 

p.s. I seem to recall seeing this coin for sale a few times in the last few years. I wonder if the topic of this thread (i.e. insinuating the coin is overgraded) isn't the root cause of that bouncing around. My memory, however, is far from perfect.... Am I mistaken?

 

It is my opinion that justice will not be served until this coin is removed from that MS69 holder. This coin is not even an MS68. I could see it in an MS67 holder but based on the photos I have, I grade it MS66. I don't recall ever seeing this coin for sale before, at least not in a Heritage auction.

 

I said 67 based on the hits, but I will reserve the right to amend after I view it in person next weekend

 

I would have to see the luster to know for sure. However, since NGC gave it a 69, it has got to be fantastic. Therefore, I would venture a guess that it would deserve a 67 in hand.

BTW, lehigh, you are crazy. I count 7 hits on the word CENT. But, it is the spots on the obverse that bother me more than those hits.

 

That's a 67 to me.

 

I just pulled out my PCGS MS67 Steel Cent example from Denver and in comparing my coin in hand to the photos of this one, my coin could maybe get graded NGC MS70!!!

 

There's no doubt this coin is overgraded, but by how much I'm not sure.
I'm surprised to see how high they graded it because they must see a hundred of these things come through in a month, and all of them are high MS. I wonder if the other coins that were sent in with the submission had an effect on the graders opinion. I also suspect that the photos make those marks look worse than they really are.

 

I say hogwash....what about the fading 4 in the date!!

 

By way of example, here's my NGC 66:




I think the 69 and illini's are both better...Mike

 

I just looked at the cert number and low and behold it was submitted by a dealer!! Big Surprise!!

 

Mike, what's going on with the mintmark on that? It looks doubled quite a bit on this side of the computer.

 

I am sending some in.

 

There are also marks on Abe's cheek or at least it looks like it. Based on the photo, I said 66 though I have no idea how NGC grades these things. I like Leadfoot's and Illini's better, based on photos. I have a raw set of steel cents around here somewhere -- maybe I should fire them off to NGC.

 

I didn't mention the mark on Abe's face but that and the spotting is why I have dropped it all the way down to an MS66. My MS67 is better than this coin.

 

I went with 67 too. Anyone see the second set of pics of HA, it looks like there's some chatter on the reverse. I took a look at a few 68s, and all looked much nicer than this example. My only thought is maybe in hand this coin just has superior luster, but with all the problems, it seems hard to justify the 69 grade.

 

I don't see it as overgrazed.
Illini and leadfoots examples are way inferior to the 69 in question.
Hits aren't severe, no rubbing on chin.
Illinis hits mesh with the field. There is rub all over the chin.
Leadfoots obv has obvious rubbing. Not to mention the little pinholes.
And lehigs cut on chin knocks his down.

So sorry your cents don't compare to the 69