When A Nice Coin Goes Bad...

One thing you can say for sure about the Lincoln: At one time, its owner was a complete moron.

 

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Yep

 

Okay, so you just got my attention. And how can you tell this?

 

All 1909-S VDB's have a VDB that looks like V. D . B. That is one check for an authentic S-VDB. However, I am positive that is not only on the S-VDB. Another is a raised connection on the N in UNITED. That one I am not aware if it is only on the S-VDB or on others as well. See https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-to-tell-if-your-1909-s-v-d-b-is-real.78043/

Although it is not proof, from the position of the hole, I am pretty sure it is not die #1 or #3 and I doubt it could be #2. However, I cannot rule out #4.

In summary, the odds are definitely against it, but I cannot rule it out.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Here are a few more pictures. Not the best quality.

 

Better pictures do me no good. Like I said, the VDB is proper for the S-VDB AND OTHERS. And I don't know of the N is limiting or not.

 

Times were tough in the depression and a lot of coins were used for buttons/washers with no thought to future value/collectability. There was serious feeling there was NO FUTURE at the time....

 

My set of Dremel bits included one that size.

Chris

 

News flash: There are lots of bullion stackers out there for whom that feeling still motivates them. They're of the Little family, Chicken, to be precise. They worship demigods named Stansberry and Shiff and Stockman. They even have a mantra they chant like the Ewoks did when they saw C3PO. It goes "ooo-oooh - shiiiii-nyyyy".

See how their names start with "S"? They're just full of "s".

 

I don't think this coin was used for a button. I think if it had been, the goober who made the holes would have at least attempted some amount of symmetry. (all the holes in a line through the diameter of the coin or on the corners of a rectangle)

Whoever did make those holes did have at least a little skill. Copper/bronze may be soft but it takes at least a little skill to drill a tiny hole without galling or jagged edges. These holes were drilled from the obverse through to the reverse by someone who had a bit of practice. If he/she had practice drilling the holes and was attempting to make a button, they would have been located more precisely.

Based on the hole locations I would say it was on its way to being cut-out as cpm9ball stated.

As a side note, my most sharply featured indian head cent has an ugly hole bored into it. Probably would have been worth way more than a hundred bucks intact but I got it for $1.50 because some numskull hammered a nail through it.

 

That dot away from the D and centered between the D and B I've only seen on the SVDB and on matte proof 1909 VDB's. It MIGHT come on some 1909 VDB's as well but I haven't seen them. I will say though that I have not extensively searched for them either.

 

See these;
http://coins.ha.com/itm/lincoln-cen...7-3450.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515
http://coins.ha.com/itm/lincoln-cen...1-3483.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515
http://coins.ha.com/itm/lincoln-cen...140-94.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

 

Hell rim's- My pictures of the VDB are better then these!

 

Im cringing looking at this coin and all I can think of is "was there a mintmark under that date????"

 

You're singing my song!

 

I am almost certain the coin is not an S. The N is not limiting. Some standard issue 1909 VDB's have the rev attributes of an authenic 1909-S VDB Here is an example.

I also see no die that at least some of the mint mark would be visible including die 4

 

Thanks for the feedback! Nice pics! Great coin!

 

Not my pics or coin, just used it as an example I got it from the archives on HA.

 

I just overlaid TJ1952's picture on the die positions. #1 is definitely visible, #2 should be seen, #3 is probably detectable, but #4 is totally gone.

 

Ok, my bad