“Vintage” OBW cent rolls on eBay

Fraz

I look at them longingly, but I know that I could fake them.
I wonder could someone calculate the odds of how one (or even two) VDBs show up on both ends of the roll?
Moreover, the odds of dozens of vintage cent rolls with conspicuous VDBs on eBay should be astronomical.
Even more astounding is that thirty-one 1956 Ps find themselves in the center.

Are there any legit vintage roll sellers out there?
Any good or bad stories to entertain us?

And, what in tarnation is this?

jesbroken

If there are honest sellers that you trust and they say they are original, maybe. No way for a stranger seller on ebay. More than likely fake.
Jim

MarkKelley

Don't fall for it. You WILL get taken.

1630Boston

Just my opinion
from [https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/unsearched-roll-scams-at-ebay]

Lincoln Cents are cheap, but Indian Cents are worth more, and Flying Eagle Cents are even more valuable. So certain sellers put 49 common date, low grade, Lincoln Cents in a paper coin roll, place the Flying Eagle Cent's reverse out, and on the end, then crimp the roll.

It creates the appearance that this roll might contain other rare Flying Eagles or even Indian Cents. Also that it's unsearched. So this roll will sell for much more than it's actually worth.

Furthermore you might have seen a roll of unsearched pennies with the reverse showing the V.D.B. designer's initials.

Only two Lincoln Cents have the V.D.B. on the reverse, the 1909 V.D.B. and the rarest Wheat date cent, the 1909-S V.D.B. Both of these dates and mints demand a premium, and if the reverse of a 1909 V.D.B. cent is showing on the end of the roll, it begs the question "Is is a 1909-S V.D.B. rare key date?".

It's obvious, since so many similar rolls are for sale, that these rolls are "salted". No dealer would let a 1909-S V.D.B. go for less than it's worth or take chance by not searching the roll.

The sellers knows this fact, and they sell their rolls with the question, "Is it the 1909-S V.D.B.?", and post feedback of buyer's finds in their description.

Don't buy into this, it's a scam and fraud!

TPRC

My general working assumption is that the answer to all of your questions is either 0% or zero. And that is why I never purchase any of these so called OBW rolls. No idea what that is, but I also would stay away from it.

Fraz

There are attractive meretrices and repulsive meretrices. That auction page ain’t got no allure for me; that won’t be a problem.
What are those things on the end of that cent roll? Plated novelty pieces?

johnny9434

98.6% rating, buyer beware and check it out

ricko

Years ago (late nineties) I purchased two OBW's of 1943 steel cents.... and they are original. I did open one, and they are really nice. I would not buy casually now. Would have to be a trusted dealer/individual. Cheers, RickO

Coinscratch

They are out there but the listings don't last very long. I'm talking about the 2% of legit listings. You learn quick from the pictures. reef20 is a good bet for legit rolls from the 70's and up.

Coinscratch

Here are some results from his rolls.
Some RBI's - No home runs just yet.

Fraz

I have a quart of wheats to sort and three of memorials. I don’t need the fun desperately yet. I’ve distracted myself with other-than-cent rolls, and cashbox halves and dollars; roughly four hundred rolls of sorted pennies burned me out—broke my eyes—pushed me to an ophthalmologist who plans to remove my right cataract.

Coinscratch

White Cadillac?

Fraz

@Coinscratch, I’ll let you know how that goes.

Kurisu

I don't do free consulting.
But, yes there are legit sellers.
Depends on what you mean by OBW.
I have quite the collection of "vintage" rolls going back even before ebay, but plenty of rolls almost from day one of ebay.
One free tip... sometimes really good vintage type rolls come from sellers who aren't heavy on coin listings

FlyingAl

OBW rolls do exist. You do HAVE to know what to look for. Here's a genuine one:

The true OBW rolls will be similar in wrapping type to the above, and they usually exhibit some heavier end toning (silver coins in particular). If it has the red and white color scheme, it's been faked (anything not in the 70s up that is).

Fraz

@Kurisu said:
I don't do free consulting.

I’m broke, but not cheap—you get cocktails and flower.

Depends on what you mean by OBW.

I mean rolls that banks and legit coin wrangling outfits wrap, which the eBay rustlers ape.

One free tip... sometimes really good vintage type rolls come from sellers who aren't heavy on coin listings

I live off that low hanging fruit, I look to see what other they sell right away. I love to spy a lone coin album offer with a gaggle of rummage pages. More so, when it’s an hour fresh Buy it now offer at the same price as the asking price.

Fraz

Good news, @FlyingAl.

Kurisu

Non suspicious enders can also sometimes be a good sign...taken in with other clues.
This is the real deal. An actual bank roll maybe from the early mid 60's.
And yup, often the vintage and older rolls are these heavier papers.

Fraz

Thank you showing us that, @Kurisu

Connecticoin

In the thread title, "Vintage" should be in quotation marks.

Glen2022

I see these hyped on Ebay and some Morgan $1 rolls both on Ebay and TV. Morgans offered with either one or both ends showing a CC mint mark. I find it hard to believe (perhaps impossible, perhaps not) that there are any OBW Morgan $1 rolls with a CC showing on one end let alone both ends of the roll. The guy on TV (don"t remember his name) sells these for around $1500 or more for a CC double ender implying that the entire roll "could be" CC minted coins with a potential value of $100K or more.

I suppose there could be some OBW rolls out there, but not many.

JWP

I don't think I would even look twice at this item. very ??? to me