I don't have a ton of experience with this sort of thing, but I do have an 1840 Quarter eagle that is VF35 with a bean that I discovered from auction results in an XF40 holder previously - without a bean. So.... it makes sense to me that a grade or two lower increases the chances of CAC approval. Duh, I suppose...
Congrats on the win, @Publius2! I eyeballed that one pretty hard for a minute. But I have an LM-14 that I like, albeit in lower grade, and I'm trying to learn to be happy with what I have. (Read: I've spent too much money in this hobby in 2026!) Send pics for the gallery...