Steve writes:Â I got a question regarding a 1923-S Lincoln Cent. I’m thinking of purchasing this coin. The dealer says its a MS64Red Brown. The obverse looks like a 64 with minimal marks. My problem is with the reverse, the penny looks poorly struck. Missing and weak letters in E Pluribus Unum and missing wheat lines. I agree that its a Red Brown – but can this coin still merit a 64 with a reverse in this shape?
The 1923-S Lincoln is scarce in uncirculated grades and rarely comes red. It seems that most of the unc specimens are late die state so it is not unusual to find design problems such as weak devices or lettering. Grading is an opinion of the deterioration of a coin from the time it leaves the dies to when it is in your hands. Technically, weakness of strike is not a consideration. Esthetically it is. I would prefer a nicely struck AU to a weak MS64 on this date.
