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1909 s vdb Lincoln Cent grade opinions needed.

Recent purchase in a PCGS holder. I think it is undergraded and would like to get your opinions. I won't reveal the grade yet.

Comments

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 10,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    G06

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 11,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fine 12

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 44,851 ✭✭✭✭✭

    F15

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.

  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,630 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Judging by the reverse only VF-30

    image
  • LRCTomLRCTom Posts: 857 ✭✭✭

    F-15.

    LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
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  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,060 ✭✭✭✭✭

    12.

  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 3,981 ✭✭✭✭✭

    VF25

    Mr_Spud

  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,532 ✭✭✭✭✭

    VG obverse and Fine reverse so I’ll call it VG-10.

    Sean Reynolds

    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,002 ✭✭✭✭✭

    F15

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,340 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Too much wear on the hair. Coat and neck blended.

    F-15

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm guessing it is in a FINE holder and the owner believes it is a VF.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,340 ✭✭✭✭✭

    WOW...........I'm blown away by that.

    The wheat stalks are all there.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    VF20 from grading guide on this website:

  • 1Mike11Mike1 Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's better than a 10. I would have guessed 12 to 15.

    "May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"

    "A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 11,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 27, 2020 4:08PM

    @MasonG said:
    VF20 from grading guide on this website:

    Not based on multiple pictures I viewed of PCGS graded examples in the 10-20 range. I thought F15 would be the max and VG10, the minimum.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 10,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    VF20 from grading guide on this website:

    If you are only grading one side of the coin you are doing it wrong, yes the reverse is better than the obverse but the obverse is the money side and it would seem that I was not all that far off.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 27, 2020 5:03PM

    @coinbuf said:
    If you are only grading one side of the coin you are doing it wrong, yes the reverse is better than the obverse but the obverse is the money side and it would seem that I was not all that far off.

    I'm not grading only one side. The OP showed the reverse first, so I posted a reverse grading example from this website that appeared to most closely match. That's it- nothing more.

    edited to add... Here's what PCGS says a G06 reverse looks like:

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 8,712 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I believe VG10 would be its grade.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 23,728 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The obverse is only VG10 while the reverse is VF20. There is just a bit too much wear on Lincoln's face to be graded as Fine 12. I want to see clear separation between the cheekbone and the jawbone and that coin lacks it. The obverse rules, especially on a popular coin like the 1909-S VDB.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • CalifornianKingCalifornianKing Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭✭

    I grade it a VG10-F12. It's a fair grade.

  • CoinCoinsCoinCoins Posts: 664 ✭✭✭

    a gentle acetone treatment with a q-tip would've made it look a little nicer

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 5,757 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I bought a 15 a few months ago. Slightly more detail than the subject coin. I Like the bold V.D.B.
    I call my SVDB a "whispering VDB" since the VDB is not so bold.

  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 7,242 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Always wondered why the V.D.B. was placed off of center. More to the left of center.

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,042 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would give it two more market value points to Fine-12 given the smooth, brown surfaces and good eye appeal for the grade. The trouble is the obverse, which is pretty flat, has the general look of a VG. The reverse is better, and makes Fine quite easily, but the obverse accounts for most of the grade in the vast majority of cases.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,542 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Im guessing the surfaces brought it back a half point, it does look like a solid fine in the detail category

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,340 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BLUEJAYWAY said:
    Always wondered why the V.D.B. was placed off of center. More to the left of center.

    I don't know either.

    It's placement does identify some added initials as coming from an altered coin though.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would have guessed a tad higher.... but second look at the obverse makes the 10 look fair.... Cheers, RickO

  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,532 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @291fifth said:
    The obverse is only VG10 while the reverse is VF20. There is just a bit too much wear on Lincoln's face to be graded as Fine 12. I want to see clear separation between the cheekbone and the jawbone and that coin lacks it. The obverse rules, especially on a popular coin like the 1909-S VDB.

    I totally agree with this, which is why I called it a VG-10. I also wanted to make sure everyone saw that I called it a VG-10. When a blind squirrel finds a nut, you bet he wants to show it off to his friends. :)

    Sean Reynold

    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • coastaljerseyguycoastaljerseyguy Posts: 1,114 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For a Fine I would think the ear would need to be more defined. Great looking VG.

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 10,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @coinbuf said:
    If you are only grading one side of the coin you are doing it wrong, yes the reverse is better than the obverse but the obverse is the money side and it would seem that I was not all that far off.

    I'm not grading only one side. The OP showed the reverse first, so I posted a reverse grading example from this website that appeared to most closely match. That's it- nothing more.

    And here is a G06 obverse from photograde which is dead on for the obv of the op's coin. Note the barely perceptible ear hole, the slight blend of the collar to the jawline. In the end this is a G06 obv with a F rev so it would seem that PCGS graded it between the two sides. I am more old school and tend to grade circulated coins by the lower graded side vs todays market grading.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 27,021 ✭✭✭✭✭

    nice coin

  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 7,242 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seanq said:

    @291fifth said:
    The obverse is only VG10 while the reverse is VF20. There is just a bit too much wear on Lincoln's face to be graded as Fine 12. I want to see clear separation between the cheekbone and the jawbone and that coin lacks it. The obverse rules, especially on a popular coin like the 1909-S VDB.

    I totally agree with this, which is why I called it a VG-10. I also wanted to make sure everyone saw that I called it a VG-10. When a blind squirrel finds a nut, you bet he wants to show it off to his friends. :)

    Sean Reynold

    I don't know. I think the blind squirrel would eat the nut first. Upon showing it to his friends they, might steal it from him. :)

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinbuf said:
    In the end this is a G06 obv with a F rev so it would seem that PCGS graded it between the two sides.

    The image I posed above is a VF coin, not F. Here is a F:

    @coinbuf said:
    I am more old school and tend to grade circulated coins by the lower graded side vs todays market grading.

    If the OP's coin was yours and you were selling it, would you sell it priced as a G06?

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 10,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    If the OP's coin was yours and you were selling it, would you sell it priced as a G06?

    Why would I sell something that's graded and encapsulated as VG10 for G06 money? :*

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinbuf said:
    Why would I sell something that's graded and encapsulated as VG10 for G06 money? :*

    Because you're "old school and tend to grade circulated coins by the lower graded side vs todays market grading"?

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 11,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @coinbuf said:
    Why would I sell something that's graded and encapsulated as VG10 for G06 money? :*

    Because you're "old school and tend to grade circulated coins by the lower graded side vs todays market grading"?

    That doesn't change the fact that grading and selling are two different things. For example, if you have a copper coin designated "RD" that you feel is "RB" (and it would typically sell for far less if designated as such), you don't sell it for a "RB" price.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 10,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    Because you're "old school and tend to grade circulated coins by the lower graded side vs todays market grading"?

    Well you have lost me because what your saying (and what you've said through out this thread) makes absolutely no sense.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 7,482 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd have guessed F12 from the OPs images... I love the color!

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 5,757 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If you are only grading one side of the coin you are doing it wrong, yes the reverse is better than the obverse but the obverse is the money side and it would seem that I was not all that far off.

    For 1909 S V.D.B. the "money side" is the reverse?

  • mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CoinCoins said:
    a gentle acetone treatment with a q-tip would've made it look a little nicer

    And the subsequent nose grease. :D

  • nwcoastnwcoast Posts: 2,710 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Our host was tough in grading my s-vdb as well!
    I thought, as did many others, that it would go AU.
    Much to my surprise, it came back XF-40

    Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,340 ✭✭✭✭✭

    WOW..............not even an XF-45.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • nwcoastnwcoast Posts: 2,710 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:
    WOW..............not even an XF-45.

    Pete

    Nahh!
    What a slap that was!
    I’ve been thinking about cracking it and putting it back into that hole in my Dansco....

    Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014

  • DRUNNERDRUNNER Posts: 3,776 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A VERRRRRRY tasty S-VDB. I would presume to buy this as a 53 all day long. Not really THAT big of a deal . . the spreads on these don't exactly shock people . . .

    Drunner

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