Seeking opinions on value of a raw '16-S Lincoln in ?MS64/65BN?

Coppernicus

I looked at a raw '16-S Lincoln today at a local dealer. It's BN but definitely MS - between 64 and 65 IMHO, although the strike is so sharp, it MIGHT be a 66. It's a beautiful chocolate brown with the slightest hint of red around the obverse motto. The reverse is what you'd expect in a 66. I love the coin and I need one, but he wants $450 for it! That's too high in my opinion, but I'm not too familiar with the market in these raw Lincolns, especially the teens. I THINK that the $'s he's asking is more on the order of a 64RB in a PCGS slab. Am I close here? I wish I had a pic, but it's his coin in his shop, though I did put a 24 hour hold on it.

I would appreciate any thoughts from the experts!

Thanks, Mike

coinbuf

Hi Mike, I searched Heritage's prior auctions and here are the numbers

64BN sold for $166
65BN sold for $529
66BN sold for $776

If you submit and get a 65 you'll have a nice bargin, on the other hand it goes back a 64 you'll be buried in it. Of course if it makes 66 CHA-CHING!! Always a gamble with copper. I just got this one back today MS66BN

Coppernicus

coinbuf - Yikes! That is an awesome '34-D!!! I love the MS RB/BN Lincolns that have some "character" - Let's face it, the 66RD's look pretty much the same. I submitted a '10-S that I thought was a lock 65BN but it came back a 64RB! It has nice violet toning on the obverse and apparently enough red around the devices for the RB designation. It's one of my favorites in my registry set.

Any 66BN in the wheats is a great acquisition in my book! Awesome coin!

Mike

coinbuf

Thanks Mike I just bought a great 18-S in 66BN from David (lincolncentman) a real jewel.

Coppernicus

A mass dropped in a vacuum slightly above the surface of the earth will accelerate at 16 feet per second per second. This thread has dropped much faster.

ttt

Mike

dorkkarl

$450??? way too much. from what you describe, 250 sounds more realistic. i just happened to buy a 1916-s recently, 95% full red & original, but in a very intriguing super-late die-state. the die is so erroded it looks like it the coin was struck through webbing. i grade it conservatively ms-64, but it only cost me 50 bucks!

K S

Shamika

Don't be swayed by the strike. Some of these early Lincolns can have incredible beard detail.

Coppernicus

Shamika - Absolutely!! My 18-D is a 64RB and you can count the hairs in the beard!!

Mike

291fifth

It's a coin that should be slabbed. It isn't. Pass. It is not in your best interest to pay big money for a raw copper coin and then have to take the chance that it will come back in a body bag.

Coppernicus

Thanks all - I'm going to pass on it. Too expensive and even at a lower price, could be risk of a BB as 291fifth points out. Thanks for the input!

Mike