I saw the coin and the coin told me it was graded 65BN, so that's what I guessed. Think 64 may be a possibility, but luster and fields look too good to go any lower.
MS-63 BN ... Note: I always vote before I look what other ppl think is the grade and was suprised that most voted 64-65....Although after more thorough look prob. was a bit conservative )
This is one of the 3 most detailed Lincolns I have seen. I sis not think they put that much detail on Abe until they recut the die in 1916. And that back in much better looking in hand. No significant marks. I would call this a 65 any day, but apparently NGC want more luster - or at least that is the only reason I can see that it is only a 64.
As I recall, they sharpened the master dies in 1915 so there's some detailed pieces. I'm the master of off by one.
The dies (as in at each mint) were reworked for 1915 and a new master die was made for 1916 and it is frequently thought it was again done in 1917.
That last slab shot does suggest a coin a bit darker than the first photos, but wow, those surfaces are clean for a 64.
My slab shots always seem to show the coin darker than it really is and most of my coin shots show the coin a bit lighter than it really is (more light for the picture?). However, you are correct. That coin is nearly mark free.
I think the solid white NGC slabs are hard to photograph. As RLM mentioned - it seems like when you focus the camera on the coin it is lighter than the real color and when you pull back the white slab sucks in all the light.
Man,, i was pretty confident with my 65 too...... but apparently a good group of folks saw 64 too. Good start to round 2 !