Is this coin worthy of a CAC sticker?

[dabrin]

Over the last 5 months I have sent 50 mint state Lincoln Wheat Cents to CAC for consideration with 31 coins eventually being rewarded a sticker and 19 coins rejected. That's a 62% success rate which I was pretty happy with since each time I sent in 10 coins, I included one or two "hopefuls"; which were borderline but valuable enough to take a chance and test my grading skills. All the coins submitted were graded by PCGS. The vast majority of the decisions made by CAC I agreed with but there was a few that took me by surprise - both surprised it did get a green bean and surprised it did not get one. I'll post some of these surprises to hopefully start a dialog about technicalities of grading Lincoln Wheat Cents. All the pictures were taken by me so no copyright issues.

The first one that surprised me was this difficult to find 1926-S cent graded MS-63RB. It is at least 50% Red which is rare for this date and has a pretty good strike which is even more rare for this date. Yet it was rejected as CAC worthy for the grade. What do you think; is this coin worthy of a green bean CAC sticker?

[dabrin]

Here's a 1912-D cent graded MS-63BN that I sent in not really thinking it would get a CAC sticker. Surprise, it got one. Turns out upon close examination the "rough" part on the bottom of the reverse side are bumps, not scratches and probably produced by corroded dies (just a guess). It does have a great strike but, then again, it is an early Lincoln so there hasn't been much wear on the master die yet. Here's my CAC stickered, kinda ugly 1912-D cent.

[kloccwork419]

I agree with both. Actually surprised the 26 got that high of grade and surprised the 12 was that low. And whats so ugly about the 12? That coin is real nice. Great looking coins as always

[WaterSport]

OK, first disclaimer, Grading - no matter who is doing it - is subject to opinion.

From the CAC web page -

CACS.jpeg

So they are not actually grading your cents, just giving an opinion whether that are "solid for the grade". We can only guess what they felt so again, it's just my opinion. But the 1926 - Was nixed because of the smudges. Just too many. Now if it was say in a MS 62 holder - you might have got the bean. And the 1912 - Yes, Good for the grade - gets the bean. Remember there are so many other factors with grading and Eye appeal is a big one. While anyone would love to have a 26 S with any red showing - and with a strong strike, they may have not liked those smudges.

Bob