1909 S VDB Question

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Indianhead65, Nov 27, 2020.

  1. TonkawaBill

    TonkawaBill Well-Known Member

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  3. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I've never know L and C Coins to do something like this. I'd call them and discuss the issues. The numbers above the barcode do not match therefore you received a different coin than they posted.
     
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  4. Jeffjay

    Jeffjay Well-Known Member

    They probably couldn't sell that coin so they pawned it off on you. Not only should they give you a full refund but they should pay shipping as well.
    Good luck.
     
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  5. manny9655

    manny9655 Well-Known Member

    L & C does a lot of advertising in the major publications including Coin World Weekly edition. If you don't get any satisfaction from them, I'd complain to that magazine or to one of the others they advertise in, ESPECIALLY if you ordered from one of their ads.
     
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  6. jtlee321

    jtlee321 Well-Known Member

    In general there is nothing wrong with APMEX if you are buying bullion. My problem with APMEX is they use stock images on numismatic items. Often times those stock images are of very eye appealing coins or coins that have been Photoshopped into old collectible holders such as rattlers. There was a coin that they listed on eBay, it was a 1913-D T1 Buffalo Nickel in MS-65, the image they used was a 2 Feather Photoshopped into another holder. I bought it immediately based on the unattributed 2 feather variety. The non-variety was worth around $200 and the variety around $1200. No mention was made of use of a stock image. It was a very clear case of "bait and switch". I was able to return it and get my money back. I tried to make a big stink with eBay who has a no stock image policy for graded numismatic coins. But they don't care as APMEX is such a big seller. Needless to say, I won't buy another numismatic coin from APMEX again. There is a difference between a stock image of a generic MS-70 Silver Eagle and a 1913-D T1 2 Feather Buffalo Nickel or a 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent such as the one in this post.
     
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  7. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    I would certainly return it, making sure they know that you expect to receive the coin they pictured in the sale, otherwise, a full refund. I would give them a chance to correct the error before doing more.
     
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  8. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    If it is not the coin you purchased the return policy does not apply. Contact them and send it back. Very best of luck.
     
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  9. Maxfli

    Maxfli Well-Known Member

    @Indianhead65, if it were my coin I'd return it immediately. As others have noted, some woodies can be quite attractive, but this isn't one of those. Get the coin you want, not the coin the dealer wants to unload on you.
     
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  10. Indianhead65

    Indianhead65 Well-Known Member

    I've bought from them before with no problems whatsoever. The first purchase I ever made with them was a PCGS AU53 1909 S VDB and I was very happy with it. I didn't expect this at all.
     
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  11. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    I think you mean "does apply"
     
  12. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    The same here. I've purchased coins from them for years and never heard of anything like this. I'm thinking they had two, the one they sent and the one they posted. And someone shipped the wrong one. I hope the OP calls and tries to work thing out with them. I've never seen them doctor photos or anything that you would consider dishonest.
     
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  13. 1865King

    1865King Well-Known Member

    Return the coin no matter what kind of deal they try to make. I can understand using a stock photo for bullion coins or junk coins. However, a 1909 S VDB would never be in that class. They may have multiple 1909's in stock but, what you were sent isn't close to being acceptable. I know it's considered ok by the grading companies but, that coin should have been down graded based on eye appeal alone. If you keep it you will have a hard time selling it in the future.
     
  14. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    I wonder if the coin in the photo that the OP ordered will miraculously show up after he returns the ugly one. Perhaps someone at L&C saw an opportunity to unload a turd, thinking that the worst someone would do would be to return it. A lot of people only care about the grade on the slab. I doubt that it will sell at much of a discount.
     
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  15. Mike Thorne

    Mike Thorne Well-Known Member

    Seriously considering returning it? Just my opinion, but that's a no-brainer to return for refund. I hate to hear that it was L&C coins, as I just purchased a Standing Liberty 25c from them and would hate to have to return it. But I definitely will return the coin if they send a different one from the one I ordered!
     
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  16. coin dog

    coin dog Well-Known Member

    In my opinion, that is a horrible looking coin. Even if it is an alloy issue, it sure looks all scratched up. Very negative eye appeal.

    No way would I take a loss of over $800.00 on that coin. I would get sick every time I looked at that coin.

    Who in the heck would ever knowingly buy a coin that looks like that.

    Send it back ASAP!
     
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  17. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    Perhaps it should have been detailed for the improper alloy mix, or slabbed as an error. I can see the argument for the technical grade, for which color may not have an impact. However, based on everyone’s responses, the perception of eye appeal is so universally negative that “market grading” should have been used to downgrade the coin. I can see allowances being made for early US type and other coins that frequently have issues. But an 09 SVDB is not hard to find circulated with normal color. If a gouged early gold coin can be “market graded” into a problem free holder (as currently in discussion in another thread), why can’t the OP coin be market graded into a details holder?

    I’m not a professional grader and only know the things I’ve read on the topic, but this seems like a no brainer to me.
     
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  18. Indianhead65

    Indianhead65 Well-Known Member

    I talked to Kevin at L&C Coins today and he apologized that I'm not happy with the coin and told me to send it back and they'll find a better looking one for me. So....I'm satisfied with that answer. I wrote him a lengthy email yesterday
     
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  19. Indianhead65

    Indianhead65 Well-Known Member

    I hope you're satisfied with the SLQ that you ordered. They're allowing me to exchange the 09 S VDB for another.
     
  20. Beefer518

    Beefer518 Well-Known Member

    I initially "Liked" this post, but then i thought about it. If it were me, I'd tell them I'd be sending it back, and would just take the refund and then spend my money elsewhere.

    As stated, they should not have even ever thought to send out that coin, especially at that price, and with a completely different coin being represented. This company is on my list of "not to buy froms". Sure, they took care of you, but IMO this should never have happened. There are far too many YC's, or novice collectors that would have just sheepishly kept the coin, and L&C would have been able to dump a problem coin.

    I'd really like to know what's going to happen to this ugly '09 now....
     
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  21. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    You just answered your own question in your statement above. This probably also is the answer to my question of why PCGS didn’t detail it. I’m betting it sells for full retail or maybe a very small discount.
     
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