1909-S VDB Woodgrain toning-- A negative or positive?-- results reported
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A NEWP for me from Charlotte Coin Club Annual Show.
Since I was a kid, I have kept my eye on this coin, and I am thrilled to have it now! I am interested to hear opinions about the striated woodgrain toning seen in this coin— is it a negative or a positive? I understand the toning results from the planchet alloy mixing (copper, tin, and zinc), and I think the woodgrain toning adds character and appeal— your thoughts?
I took these photos and tried to reduce the artifact from the slab— I am a real amateur with photography, so my apologies here…. 
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Love it. At one time I had a nearly complete Indian Head Cent collection lacking only 5, yes the 77 was one of the ones lacking. I think that woodgrain is a natural process by the mint over most of the copper years and has no negative effects on the coins beauty. JMO
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.....Mark Twain
Nice coin .... The wood grain is not a feature that attracts me, but on a nice coin like that, it would not dissuade me either. Cheers, RickO
Woodgrain toning is a result of poor alloy mixing. Personally, I like it. It gives the coin character. Nice looking coin.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
No issues with it here.
WS
To me the coin has negative eye appeal due to the "woodgrain". Some members of this board like "woodgrain" and some do not. I'm not sure what "the market" says about such coins at this time. It may have been hyped enough online to gain a base of buyers who will pay a premium. Personally, I would not have bought that coin.
I’m not fan of the woodies that said I could see myself making an exception for one that looks like that. I would be more concerned about the green spot at 3:00 along the rim.
Over all it has a nice appearance
Martin
I'd like to hear from the dealers that sells these types of copper coins. Are they harder, easier, or about the same as far as the ease to sell them?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I’m not a dealer but do see one here and there if it’s a nice coin I’ll buy it with no problem at all.
Hoard the keys.
It's strictly a matter of personal taste.
I am not a fan of that look.
I have sold over 100 Indians and a few dozen Lincolns with absolutely no problems. 30% of the IHC's were slabbed, the rest raw and most of the Lincolns raw. You must realize there are several different levels of woodgrain of which some are more attractive than others. Here are 3 of my favorite IHC's.
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.....Mark Twain
I like the coin but it’s not a coin for everyone. I personally think wood grain looks better on a brown coin. Here’s my PCGS/CAC 30.
I think it depends on the coin and overall eye appeal. I prefer the woodgrain on more brown coins. I've had a few Lincoln and Indian Cents that have this appearance, but I more associate it with Large Cents...
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It looks cool!
Mr_Spud
Personal preference, I don't care for the "woodgrain" look.
Those are beautiful examples! The Woodgrain is more subtle than in the example I have shared. @skier07 points out that the Woodgrain may look better in brown specimens, and in the sample he shared, the striations also appear more subtle.
Here's my woody!
1926 1c PCGS MS64 RB
I have been studying the 1909-S VDB for years, and initially, I thought I would opt for a tone-free specimen when the right time presented itself. After reading about the background for the Woodgrain striations in old copper coins, the story about the copper, tin, and zinc layering during planchet development seemed to make sense. I then considered that the Woodgrain appearance is a bit of a trademark for these old coins and lends some authenticity (although not foolproof). I imagine that some of the articles written about Woodgrain were intended to boost a market for them, who knows. I am an example of a collector who was influenced by the story behind the toning in this case.
I am very interested to see where the majority opinion lands in this case, and the comment has been made that dealers are in a great position to assess collector behavior over time.
I like it just the way it is now, best wishes
I very much like the 09-S VDB in the OP. All the cents posted here with wood-grain look fantastic. It's really a special look that only copper can achieve with subtle, attractive results.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
The toning doesn't bother me, but that active green spot near the right rim would.
I personally like most wood grain toning, this one included, but have seen a few that I would consider as negative to the eye appeal. The real concern here is that green spot at around 3 on along the rim, that is a big negative and would have been a deal killer for me.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I also worry about the green spot. When I studied this coin under magnification at the show, I thought the spot was black-- it was not until I shot this photo with a macro lens and diffused light that I noticed that it was green-- a disappointment
Love it!
An interesting observation also, i have noticed a fairly large quantity of 1864-L Indian Cents are woodgrain as well!
I like it
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
I like the wood grain toning, your example is definitely nice.
I’m glad to see you posting again! I’ve missed you twice at the shop now. I hate that.
I got a piece recently that I think you’ll admire, not wood grain, but very attractive. I’ve been bitten by the Indian head cents bug.
My YouTube Channel
I've seen some Denver Woodies, but that's the first Philly Woodie I've seen.
I guess I don't get around much..............
Pete
Hi Terry! Great to hear from you-- your 1876 IH is incredible! The Charlotte show was terrific, and I hope you had a chance to make it. I will show you the 1909-S VDB soon -- beautiful in hand, but sad about the green dot.
Strike and color outstanding regardless if you like or don’t like the wood graining. Is that green spot pvc?
Here’s my wood grain.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Woodgraining and die polishing lines are in the same boat for me. Likely limits the number of buyers should I want to sell one day. I pass on both.
I don't think the green spot is PVC in that it is located just inside the rim, away from where PVC might contact it.
What is the PCGS grade? Beautiful coin.
This is a PCGS MS 64 RB grade in Gen 6 slab..... It is beautiful
Can I please see the coin with the full slab showing. Would like to see the full effect of the new 6.0 generation slab
I like wood grain but I am not a fan of the OP's coin. This is what I find attractive.
Lance.
Has a matte proof finish look
I love the wood grain toning. The variety is fun.
This one's a little more extreme.
Lance.
That obv. wood has a Hershey's chocolate tone to it.
The reverse has a sand storm look to it.
My first 1909 s vdb had the wood grain look and I liked it a lot. As time went on I started to dislike it a lot and got rid of it. In my current opinion I would never buy one with the wood graining again. However some people like it. But it grew on me like a defect in the coin
Hi @Joey29 - here it is. I took this photo this morning, and it isn't perfect. Thanks for taking a look.
I look forward to seeing this coin. 👍
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Thanks for the photo. Very nice holder look
I’m a fan of the wood grain look. It’s unique, as evidenced by the various photos in this thread. Here is my wood grain 1909 (Philly) V.D.B.
MS66+RD CAC
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Wow! What a beautiful coin!-- the wood grain here is a bit more subtle.
A woody with a bit of color.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
I don't collect these so I am not up on whether it affects value or not BUT I really like the looks of woodgrain toning and to me this is a beauty.
Al
Besides the woodgrain on the OP’s coin, I would not buy an S VDB with a cut like that on the cheek.