Which 1931-S Lincoln do you like better?

Even though I really like the 1931-S I have in my collection....




I recently found this one which I think I like better....




Which do you like better?

 

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Hmmm, I like the NGC version better, it appears to me ( and I am not versed in Lincoln cents ) to have a better strike than the pcgs version.
I also like the reverse on the ngc version better as it appears cleaner ( less areas that draw my attention from the overall look). The left wheat stalk appears to have some areas that look odd..Also what appears to be a mark between the "N" and the "E", though it could be just the light..


Those with more experience will I'm sure offer thoughts...

 

The cent that was graded by NGC.

 

Hey Penny Lady, I like the bottom one better. It simply looks better to me, the top one is really nice but the bottom one is the best, IMHO. The bottom one, is the bottom line.

 

They're both very nice, Charmy.

The strikes are comparable, though I'd give the new cent a slight edge for better head detail. Shoulders are full, reverse letting is good (similar slight weakness to the "O"), wheatstalks are crisp and full.

The surfaces are very clean. The old cent has remnants of a fingerprint, which usually bugs me. But it's not very prominent. Whether you like the mottled toning on the reverse, or not, is a matter of taste. It's not a look I chase.

I love the luster and perimeter colors of the new coin. That is the one I would choose.

Which looks better in hand? Does the old cent fit your set better?
Lance.

 

I've always liked the light toning (i.e. green blue) better than the darker colors. The NGC is perfect for my tastes! But I don't think you'll go wrong with either!

Nice coins!

 

I think I see fewer contact marks and and I know the color is more even on the new one.

 

Charmy, both coins fit the bill for technical grade and they both are super nice coins for several stated reasons. From what I have seen, 90% of 65 BN's are exceptional for eye appeal, you taught me that!

With that said, I think the second coin is superior in that both sides are matching in color. The first coin looks to be of two different coins. That is usually acceptable when choices are scarce, but when a coin like that shows up with matching sides, I'm usually drawn to that. JMO, Matt

 

Without the finger print, I would take the NGC in a flash. It is a tough decision with it, but I would lean to the NCG in spite of the finger print.

 

NGC looks better to me

 

I agree with Lance 100%, go for the PCGS. I've always thought your original was funky and the silvery color due to heat exposure.....yea, I know we've discussed it before. LOL ....just MHO.

 

me personally...I like the PCGS. I like the matching sides...but that's just me

 

I like the PCGS - Abe's got quite a nicely struck beard on that one!

 

The second one !! definitely.

 

Although the NGC coin got more votes than I thought it would, it looks like the PCGS won out. As others have mentioned, the NGC coin would probably fit better with the other coins in my collection, and I also love its toning and character, but I decided to go with the PCGS coin because it has amazing iridescent luster and gorgeous deep violet toning - and also because I know some of the history of this coin.

A while back, I was offered the opportunity to purchase several raw coins from a very old collection. I was handed two small 2 x 2 coin boxex full of very old yellowed 2 x 2 coin envelopes. As I opened each envelope, inside was a penny carefully wrapped in very old and fragile tissue paper. I don't remember how many times I said "wow!" as I opened each tiny envelope, because most of the coins had toned to a beautiful lustrous red brown or brown with the most amazing iridescent luster due to being stored in that old tissue paper.

Well, I couldn't help myself and I bought every one of them, however, a few of the more key date coins were held back by the owner because he wanted to send them to PCGS for grading, and this 1931-S was one of those coins. So when it came back from PCGS, the owner offered it to me, as well as two others he had sent in, and I quickly snatched them up. Another one with the exact same iridescent violet toning came back MS65 BN and it already went to a good customer who also loves this type of toning, and the third one (also with the same toning) came back MS64 BN due to a couple extra ticks.

 

Thanks for sharing where these came from and it sounds like you must have some phenomenal coins...

 

I'd have to go with the second. Call me bland, but I prefer red to toned.

 

I like the NGC coin more. I like the variation in color (then again I am a color guy) -- I think it's much more interesting than the PCGS coin, which i think is a little boring -- but that's just me. By the way, the obverse color on the NGC reminds me a little bit of your 1912 MPL.

Bottom line, is get the coin that sings to you. You are the ultimate judge!

 

Fun story, Charmy. Moments like that...looking through an especially beautiful set, rarely shared, lovingly preserved, and each one almost shockingly pretty...those moments are numismatic "rushes".

I figured that the 2nd '31-S might have especially deep color and gobs of luster. I'll bet it is stunning in hand.
Lance.