Owner Comments:
This coin has BEAUTIFUL, FULL mint luster that just pops off of the fields of both sides of this coin. The fields are VERY SMOOTH and the strike is WELL above average showing full skirtlines, eagle's breast and very good separation and emerging definition of that right facing thumb and hand. It has gorgeous rim toning that resembles a burnt umber and tan color.
Fully struck specimens of this date in MS65 or higher grades are very scarce. Mint state pieces with typical strikes are common in grades MS60-64. Nice looking AU examples are difficult to find with a good strike, which would give them an AU appearance. More often they have XF details but with AU luster. The strike is usually poor and it's more similar to the 1943-S, as the 1941-S, 1942-S & 1944-S issues are usually even worse. Luster is mostly frosty and abrasions seem to be more common on this issue than on the 1945-P and 1945-D issues of that same year. Eye appeal, although very good in general, is not as consistent as many of the other 1940's issues. Investment potential is average for MS64 and higher grades, with much better potential for the better struck pieces in MS 65 grade or better. This date/mintmark issue is not known in any grade finer than MS 67.
Important varieties:
V 101 – Doubled S east.
NGC Census is at 657/21 in MS 66 and the PCGS pop report is at 1113/21 in MS 66 with 121 of those 1113 examples in MS 66 PLUS grade.
Mintage is at 10,156,000 pieces with roughly 13000 MS survivors known in ALL MS grades by the two major services.