This is all about what you would grade the coin. I'll be posting 10 different Matte Proofs over the next week or two. They are all in early holders from the following services. NGC, PCGS, ANACS and PCI. I took these to the last Fun Show with two things in mind. I had Todd image them and was going to crack them all and hand them to PCGS for grading. After talking with a few friends at the show, I decided to wait on messing with a change in holder. Please let me know what you think about the image sizes. I had a hard time deciding what size was best for most. All opinions are welcome. Have fun.
I'm stumped. I have to admit, the spot in front of Lincoln's nose and mouth really kill the coin for me, more so than the fingerprint. 62? 63?
If the grade was based on just the strike itself I would give it a 65BN. Not sure how much the obverse spot affects the overall grade
Personally, 63 BN, but I agree with @gijoe76. I wouldn't be surprised if it's in a higher grade holder due to toning over time, or because the TPG didn't weight the toning as high as some of us seem to be doing.
From some angles it's really pretty but it is what it is. I don't remember it having the print when I bought it. It's been to long. I agree with 62 only because the reverse helped a bit.
I stand with Bob on this one, I say 63BN. Maybe when you submitted it the fingerprint wasn't evident. Some of those old green labels did cause a lot of toning and it's possible that the label interacted with the oils from the fingerprint to turn the coin into what it is today.
