1944 Lincoln

I have this nice 1944 cent, and think its a MS65 of 66. But the distinctions between the highest grades are unclear to me. What do y'all think? In hand, the coin has nice eye appeal and luster, but under magnifiction, has some dark spots. Opinions much appreciated!

 

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I think the reverse nicks/gouges and the fact that some of the wheat stalks are not separate would preclude the grade from going any higher.

 

I would hope that the graders have a higher understanding that the nicks and dings in the 11k area of the reverse were there when this coin left the mint. the amount of chatter in the one spot is not consistent with the rest of the coin. I believe them to be planchet marks that where not struck out of the surface due to strike weakness in the that area.(reverse on Abe's shoulder) A very common area for strike weakness on a LWC. Please note that the marks are all confined to that one area, and the weakness at the bottom of 'LUR' and top left of the 'O' in one. How coin graders view this type of of abnormality I can not say.
It really is a nice and well preserved specimen even with its strike fault.

 

Closer to a MS-64 than anything.

 

Thanks! "weak strike" areas are something I need to get better at identifying. It's not so noticeable under a loupe. This may save me some money in wasted grading fees!

 

While all of the above input is good feed back, I believe you are correct in your assessment, so confirmation to you. IMHO

 

That "common area of weakness" you mention - that explains something I noticed lately . I have several gem-ish specimens that are gorgeous except for the area on the shoulder right bove the vdb. That area is a slightly different color, and seems less lustrous and detailed than the rest of the coin, and (now that I looked) the "PLU" on the reverse is weak on several. So you just answered something that was kind of bugging me - thanks!

 

There is another weak spot for the reverse of LWC, that is the 'MER' area of America
opposite of Abe's head.
The same master die was use until 1968 which incurs LMC's until then to have weak spots in the same areas.

 

UPDATE: I submitted the coin to ANACS and it is comong back as an MS-66 RED, which is what I'd hoped for!