I was messing around with finding the best way to take photos of proof coins in the plastic case and when looking back over them I came across something I thought was strange. So, I thought I would ask. Shouldn’t there be a VDB on the bottom of this 1970s Lincoln cent? I couldn’t find anything online about this being a variety (probably because all the variety talks surrounding the 1970s proof is in regards to small date/ large date). Attached is an image of the 1970s cent in question and an image showing a 1968s proof I took in the same group of photos in it you can see a STRONG VDB.
A quick Google search turned up a reference to other years with no "V.D.B" mentioned as legit errors, if that helps: http://books.google.com/books?id=pSy7dLIgND4C&pg=PA300&lpg=PA300&dq=1970-s no VDB&source=bl&ots=boWzLu7gxY&sig=imsLJKm-Gvs8Gj-2yY0IDkYhxKs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RDs1VL6VGYSvyQTH9IGACA&ved=0CGMQ6AEwDQ#v=onepage&q=1970-s no VDB&f=false
yeah, I guess I'm asking if someone else can look at their 1970 proof and see if there is a a "V.D.B".
Ok, that's good enough for me to determine it's a variety.... now to determine what it's worth... and furthermore if this is worth allowing this proof to join all his friends in the safe. Any idea on the rarity? I apparently have many uncirculated cents (looking at some images I have) without the VDB, but I assume it bumps the rarity up pretty good being in a US mint proof set.
Hold on now! You can't assume that it is a variety just because someone has the same date/mm with the VDB. There will always be con artists who try to alter coins to scam the public. You need to examine it very carefully, preferably with a microscope, to see if the letters have been removed. Then, you need to have it authenticated by an expert. Chris
That sounds expensive, and I don't think the value of the set would justify spending that kind of money (at least not that I'm aware). I can look at it closer (and now I really want to). I honestly thought someone was going to chime in and say that it is pretty common to have a proof set without a VDB on the cent. I don't think it a fake as it is still in the US mint packaging. and I didn't buy it because of the lack of a VDB mark.
Expensive? Maybe yes, maybe no. Keep in mind that some of the "No S" Proof Sets sell for $1K+. My concern is that I don't know if it has been altered or not. Just because it is still in the Mint plastic doesn't mean anything. Those cases are not made to be tamper-resistant. Chris
Maybe someone will chime in yet and say that it is not rare at all. Who would I even get in contact with to see if it's worthwhile?
Rather difficult to remove INCUSE letters on a PROOF coin and not have it show big time. On the other hand the letters are raised on the Proof DIE and can be polished away fairly easily and the coin will look normal except for the missing letters. Being a die polishing error to me it is of little value.
Would there be some "wizz" markings if the letters were removed in the polishing process? Or some evidence that I would see under my electronic microscope?
Are there "whizz" markings in the field from where they polished the dies? Nothing is absolutely smooth. There are always "scratches" from polishing but if they small enough they are not visible to the unaided eye you get a mirror finish. I would not expect there to be missing initials on a cameo proof, but on a brilliant proof I could easily understand missing initials.
ok, do you think it's a worth endeavor to look into further or it's probably a pretty common thing to find in a proof set (from the early 70's)?
I don't know how common it is because I haven't looked for them, but to me I would not consider it to be a significant error. When it comes to polishing errors there isn't much rhyme or reason to them. Some bring really serious money such as the 37 D three legged nickel or the 1922 "plain" cent. Most of them bring little or nothing such as the 68, 69, and 70 "plain" nickels, broken nose mercury dimes, "No Neck" Lincoln cents etc. Most of those that do draw interest are just a flash in the pan, bringing a significant premium when forst noticed and then being a "what, never heard of it" item a couple years later.
I just found one while going through todays pocket productivity and wasn't certain about this either since I, myself also am a novice picker and this discussion was helpful thank goodness since the alternative for pickin thru coins/pennies is (from what I hear) is pickin ur nose lol jk! and as a bonus ole honest Abe is sporting a bit o hub dubbin in the liberty and trust plus the roof is in take off position but just a smidge holding it down dagnubbit
@Charlie Blatchford Hi and welcome to CT. You have replied to a 7 year old dead thread. If you would like comments about your coin, start a new thread of your own and include clear, in focus and cropped photos. Click on Full Size for each image before you post it.
