when I compare this coin to graded f-12 or f-15 examples on e-bay I think my coin has more detail remaining hence the vf-20 opinion.
The hair is the main issue. With a VF-20 the hair cords are slightly worn and the hair lines are only partially worn and well defined. A F-12 will have all hair lines visible and the hair cords are uniformly visible. Your coin is nice looking, but the hair is only showing a few lines and a small amount of the cords. Then there’s that black spot on the obverse. You also have black spots on the reverse, smaller but more of them. Yes I’d add that to my collection but it’s just not a VF-20.
by strict grading criteria you are correct. I am comparing graded coins on e-bay and pcgs photo grade to come up with a slightly higher grade than yours.
coins were not graded by e-bay. PCGS,NGC,ANACS Here is an NGC vf-25 to compare. https://www.ebay.com/itm/3341656471...zBN7a6CL9H7pxXW5guvT|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675
That coin is a bit more detailed and more than likely, received a bump in grade as it’s from a collection. That’s on the label. If broken out of the slab and sent to the same grading it would probably receive an F-15 and on a good day, be a 20. It also has no distracting marks.
as an avid LC collector, I can say this would very likely get vf20 though i would call it an f15.. Large cents below AU tend to be give slightly higher grade as so very few can escape the dreaded "details" grade
Remember, with today's "single" grade method, the obverse counts more toward the grade than the reverse. IMO the obverse of your coin is more worn than the reverse, hence I think F-15 at best.
