I strongly recommend NCS for this coin. ANACS is a little...funny at the moment. Their grading is odly inconsistant and they are very hesitant to make the close call on a coin like this in the submitter's favor. I just think you have a much better chance of getting it called a proof (if it is one) at NCS than at ANACS. Lange grades/authenticates for NGC/NCS, so that is where I would send it if it were mine. Additionally, you would be leaving a lot of money on the table if you were to send it to ANACS, IMO.
Lange is at NCS/NGC? I just sent a 1914-D to ICG and they were freakin brutal, XF-40. I would have put money on 50, but oh well. I'm not a cracker outter, but $300 is $300.
I just would love to see it come back as authentic from ANACS. Wouldn't it be funny to see if they graded it with no defects. I have never felt so right about a coin and I have looked at thousands of mint state 09 P vdb's. If it doesn't come back I will send it off to NCS and see what they say but man this little coin is taking my wallet for a ride. =)
If you paid $300 for an XF-40 1914-D Lincoln Cent, then I think that you are doing pretty well. But, having a coin severely undergraded is never pleasing. By the way, I don't believe the coin is a proof either
LOL, I wish I had paid $300, what I meant to say was I'll crack it out and get it to NGC for the AU grade and a $300 higher value.