Here's an especially nice 1955 DDO Lincoln cent I sold recently...

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Frankly, I don't have a clue as to why they graded it only MS63. I have examined many MS63's and 64's and like this one better, overall, than just about any of them. But, as we know, grading is somewhat subjective and inconsistent/imperfect. I also realize that I might very well be wrong in my assessment.

 

Compared to other Lincoln's I would agree. Compared to other 55DDOs (or at least the ones I've seen), the strike seems to me to be very typical -- with mushy central obverse details. I'm anything but a Lincoln expert, but it seems to me that the die simply didn't have the detail on it. Looking at the other parts of the coin, the strike looks pretty darn nice to me...Mike

 

I think it's a pretty nice coin, very nice. :thumb: At first I thought the discoloration was wear, but obviously wrong I guess. AU or MS-63, that is one heck of a nice coin. :thumb:

Phoenix

 

Very nice coin. Barely any marks on either side. I'd be proud to own this one.

Bruce

 

That is a gorgeous lincoln, and I ain't no lincolnite. Very nice! :thumb:

 

Die wear is different than weak strike. Weakly struck Lincolns will generally show weakness in the "O" of One spreading into the legend, E Pluribus.....

That is directly behind the shoulder area of Abe, the most metal to displace during striking. A "hammered" strike, like this coin shows, has strong full lettering all around both sides.

Worn dies can still be fully struck, like I suspect is the case on this coin. Full , but worn.