1918-D LWC, Back From NGC, Graded!!

NICE!

That is awesome!

Numismedia lists an 18-D in 63RB for $240. Not bad for a $12 investment plus grading/shipping fees!

Some things I just don't get even though I understand. My 18-D I purchased as XF-45 and I grade it XF-40. It has full wheat lines and had to be early to mid die state. Personally I would rather have my coin than this MS-63. It is a great find for $12, but its just not there if you know what I mean.

Not exactly. It is because the die was worn out.

There have been a few times in history that the Mint has used the dies way past their normal lifespan and because of that, the design suffers. Branch mint Lincolns from the 1910s-1920s are notorious for VLDS coins, the 1922 no D is probably the most well known example. Until the 1990s, Denver did not have its own die shop, all of the dies were prepared in Philadelphia and shipped to the respective mints. This situation caused a De facto rationing of dies because they did not have the capacity to make more if they were running low on good dies. Many times, the dies were used until failure which is why you can find MS Lincolns that have the details of a Fine coin.

I respect your opinion, though I would take this any day for $12 over a XF piece, but I get what your saying. Maybe a crisp AU58 over this if the price was right, but at $12, regardless of die state, this was a heck of a bargain.

Fantastic grade. This coin is a great learning tool for grading. I have already printed out this coin pics and saved in my grading file. I would be vry interesting to have a MS-63 EDS 1918-D just to show the vast differences a coin can have with the same grade.
Jim

Congrats.