Another raw 1909-S VDB: Grades revealed

skier07 · June 17, 2018 12:10AM

This came from a set of raw Lincoln’s I recently purchased.

Comments appreciated whether coin is real or not.

JBK · June 17, 2018 4:25AM

If you purchased it as part of a set you presumably paid for what you expected to be a genuine coin do I would definitely get it to PCGS for grading.

PerryHall · June 17, 2018 4:32AM

Can we get a close up pick of the mint mark area?

ldhair · June 17, 2018 4:34AM

BillJones · June 17, 2018 4:35AM

Off the top of my head, aside from the color, the coin looks odd to me. The lettering looks to be too sharp when compared with Lincoln and the center of the reverse. The rims also look wide.

ricko · June 17, 2018 4:50AM

In the full obverse shot, the S looks a bit canted ... However, when I compare it to the example (top, right) in the post by @ldhair, it looks ok....A close up of the date/mm would help...Cheers, RickO

VanHalen · June 17, 2018 4:50AM

Let's see a close-up of the V.D.B. The initials were the first thing I noticed amiss.

PerryHall · June 17, 2018 4:56AM

Agree with Bill. The VDB looks too sharp and Lincoln looks very weak. Also the color is off and the rims are too wide. Looks fake. I hope the OP can get a refund.

VanHalen · June 17, 2018 5:02AM

Here's a magnified images with a genuine V.D.B below it.

WoodenJefferson · June 17, 2018 5:12AM

Winner winner....chicken dinner. Anyone think it was 'cleaned; in the past?

BillJones · June 17, 2018 5:20AM

@WoodenJefferson said:
Winner winner....chicken dinner. Anyone think it was 'cleaned; in the past?

No the color looks like "Chinese toning" to me. I guess that's the one thing in its favor; it's never been cleaned.

BuffaloIronTail · June 17, 2018 7:09AM

Looks like a Die #2 to me. Should grade VF-30 judging by the wear in the area between Lincolns neck and collar.

Here's a pic:

Pete

Smudge · June 17, 2018 7:38AM

Have our host look it over. Close enough to gamble, I think.

COINS MAKE CENTS · June 17, 2018 7:43AM

I think it's real. But have it graded just to be sure

skier07 · June 17, 2018 8:44AM

Our host is looking at the coin as we speak and also the 55 DDO from the set.

I bought the set at an estate sale on the cheap so even if it’s fake, no big deal. The set has every Lincoln except a 1922 no D. When I bought the set I factored in the possibility that the key dates might be fake.

I bought a Lincoln set a few years ago from the same place with a 1909-S VDB and without a 55 DDO. A week later I took the VDB to Long Beach for submission. Three prominent dealers looked at it. One said it was fake, the 2nd said it was real, and the 3rd one offered me $500 for it, but told me it wouldn’t straight grade.

Here’s the best I can do with a closeup of VDB.

1955 DDO

1909-S VDB PCGS 30 from a few years ago.

Insider2 · June 17, 2018 8:52AM

IMHO, a large majority of folks selling coins are not qualified to have a reliable opinion about the authenticity of a "raw" coin. That's probably the main reason that Authentication Services were started. Examples as this are all over the place including CU and authenticating coins is not getting any easier.

skier07 · June 17, 2018 9:12AM

It’s highly unlikely any of the coins are Chinese. The coins have probably been sitting in this album for years. The part 2 collection went up to 1978. Norco Stamp and Coin Co. went out of business many years ago.

Gluggo · June 17, 2018 1:30PM

I was not able to see if there is a 1909 cent in the album.

stevek · June 17, 2018 7:02PM

Gotta be super careful on this coin as we all know.

And provenance doesn't help much either. A collector could have bought a fake or altered coin, thirty or many more years ago, believing that it was absolutely genuine. So those inheriting the collection or something like that, may honestly believe all the coins are genuine.

lkeigwin · June 17, 2018 10:08PM

Looks good to me. Here it is compared to my 65RD.

I'm not saying it couldn't be counterfeit. But I'd submit it and expect it to grade problem-free.
Lance.

jonruns · June 18, 2018 2:12AM

cool!!

morgansforever · June 18, 2018 2:31AM

Good job Lance with the overlays for comparison. The center crossbar of B is slightly tilting up and the MM appears to be legit. To erase all doubt get it slabbed, cleaned or not. Color does look a little funky.

CRH4LIFE · June 18, 2018 3:06AM

Looks fairly convincing to me. If it were mine I would take a gamble and send it in!

Namvet69 · June 18, 2018 4:21AM

This is exciting! Let us know the results. Peace Roy

astrorat · June 18, 2018 4:32AM

@lkeigwin said:
Looks good to me. Here it is compared to my 65RD.

I'm not saying it couldn't be counterfeit. But I'd submit it and expect it to grade problem-free.
Lance.

Very nice! Your overlay reminds me of the early Wolf Man movie where Lon Chaney, Jr. 'changed' into the Wolf Man on screen right before your eyes!