Update Coins rec'd: 1909 S VDB found!

Bothuwui

I was submitting some coins and was looking for a one to send in as my free quarterly submission last quarter. I pulled out an old whitman folder that my grandpa had put together, and popped out a low grade 1909-S to send in. I finally got my grades posted today, and it shows as a 1909-S VDB VG10 BN. I didn't look at the coin too closely before sending it, and definitely could have missed a VDB. Does PCGS mis-attribute the VDB very often? Do they ever have typos when they post the grades to their site? I'm trying to temper my expectations, as my grandpa definitely knew the difference and I don't think he would have made a mistake like that.

centmaster

centmaster

PCGS does make mistakes, but I've never seen one that would be that big. The VDB was probably just very light and/or hidden under some dirt.

Coppernicus

PCGS may err from time to time, but not in this big of a way! Congrats on the '09-S VDB!!!!

Mike

ealandg

I think you should be optimistic! That is so cool.

Bothuwui

Yeah, I about fainted when I saw it. At first I was just excited to have grades. They received them on 11/17 and they posted right around close of business on 2/23. My math may be off, but that's about 97 days. I had a couple other nice surprises to. My 1883CC Morgan graded 64 instead of the 63 I thought (paid 63 money for it, most I ever spent on a coin at that time). Also had a 1895-O Morgan grade a XF40. I was really hoping it would get an XF, and it did. Well, it looks like these are my first coins over $100. I can't wait to see them again.

Dennis88

Shamika

I'll bet the VDB is there under some dirt or else very weak.

kranky

That has to be the biggest surprise anyone has ever gotten when checking their submission results. No doubt others have had upgrades which meant more money, but to submit one coin and find out it was a different, much rarer coin - that's fantastic!

UncleJoe

That is GREAT!!! Congrats.

Please try to post a pic when you get it back.

Joe.

beartracks42

Bothuwui

I really hope it's not a typo. As far as a pic goes, I've tried pictures with my old 1.3MP Cypbershot, but they are pretty bad. My roommates girlfriend has a 3.2MP Camera. Is there anything else special I need to snap off a quick pic? I have a nice toned Morgan I'd like to show off too. I know I should search the forums for photography help, but hey, I'm feeling lazy today.

tjkillian

The resolution of the camera has less to do with getting good coin pictures than having a macro lens. Most cameras don't like to take extreme close up pictures, such as coins. Check the camera and see what type of up-close focusing in can do.

Congratulations on the cool find.

Tom

Elcontador

Another bonus for you is that PCGS now puts its guarantee behind the cent as a genuine
09 S VDB; lots of fakes out there.

I don't follow Morgans much, but a big price jump for "common date" CC $s is between 64 & 65.
As they were taken by stagecoach from Carson City to San Francisco, the grading services
are more forgiving re contact marks at specific grades of Unc. In fact, of the ones I've seen, you
need at least an MS 66 to get one fairly free of contact marks.

kamehameha00

The V.D.B. can be pretty weak, one time I bought a 1909 1c and when I looked at it closer at home there was a very weak V.D.B. on it.

Rampage

The 09-S VDB I recently sent in was a very weak VDB as well. So, you, and your grandfather, could have just missed it.

Congrats on a great find!

Bothuwui

I got my coins today. I can barely see the VDB, but it does appear to be there. I had to use alot of magnification and could just make out some marks that vaguely resemble VDB. Man, I can't believe I sent in a 1909-S and got back a 1909-S VDB!

LINE # CERT # COIN DATE DENOMINATION VARIETY COUNTRY GRADE
1 21414005 1892-S S$1 USA F12 (hoped for VF)
2 21414006 1903-S S$1 USA VG08 (thought F)
3 21414007 1887 S$1 USA MS64 (about right, hoped for MS65)
4 21414008 1895-O S$1 USA XF40 (thougt XF45)
5 21414009 1883-CC S$1 USA MS64 (thought MS63, good surprise)
6 21414010 1909-S VDB 1C USA VG10BN (This was major. I sent it in as the freebie just cause I had nothing else to submit. I thought for sure is was a 1909-S)

ksteelheader

Those are some good coins you got back. Enjoy them....Ken

Bothuwui

You wouldn't believe how ast my heart was beating when I read that VDB on the submission status.

These are the first coins I've made worth over $100. It was extremely exciting, but the 97 day wait was torture. I'm thinking of giving ANACS a try for my next group. I can drive them there (10 minutes from work) and save on shipping.