I am looking at this coin and thut getting it. I was wondering if some of you will give me your opinion on wher you think it is real and what grade it would come in at. I think the price is right for what I think the grade would be but I want your opinions first. Thanks BTW, the guy is vary established and has been selling for a very long time with a lot of very satisfied customers.
I DONT HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA BUT I WOULD OPT FOR A GRADED AND AUTHENTICATED ONE FROM ONE OF THE LEADING COMPANIES.:smile
I am assuming this coin is raw. If so, I think as a relative newcomer, if you really want an 09 S VDB, you should purchase one in a PCGS or NGC holder. The coin you show may not be genuine and if it is, it may not grade other than as genuine. Other persons on here are expert in the Lincoln series and I assume most of them would give you the same advice.
Yes it is a raw coin. I know I probably should get one already graded but I think the is a authentic coin and I wanted to see what the experts thought. I probably am not going to buy it but I wanted to see if I was getting close. Thanks for the advice
I don't think you should assume the opinions that you get on this forum are expert opinions. I will offer no opinion since I have a very limited knowledge of the Lincoln Cent series making my opinion rather useless anyway.
The photos are a little too small on the mintmark, which would be a strong indicator, as the "S" is a very distinctive serif kind, and it has a tiny die chip in the upper loop and a groove in the upper serif. If you could use your magnifier on that area it might help. If you could buy it with the proviso that if it comes back non-genuine from a top 3 TPG, he will refund, and it meets your price, that might work. Otherwise, the risk is too high and there are way too many altered ones out there ( even before the Chinese, so a person could have it for a long time and it still is not true). We always wonder why such a coin has not already been slabbed, and often it is because there is a problem such as color or cleaning. But maybe he is just a person who believes in the background of the coin. Jim
Heath There are experts here on the Lincoln series -- I am not one of them. Hopefully, one of them will weigh in and give you a better opinion. I would in general be wary of raw key dates, at least until you get to be more experienced in the series.
FWIW, the "S" looks to be position #4 and the VDB looks to be good. I would guess that it is more like authentic than not. However, with only what I can make out from those pics, I would only say 60/40 or so. That die chip deseertgem mentioned would go a long way to resolving this.
I appreciate every one looking at it. I am trying to get a better picture of the mint mark so yall can get a better idea. Thanks for everyones comments. I also asked if he had a money back garauntee if it came back fake. I will keep yall informed. Thanks
Heath, Don't take this the wrong way. Buying that coin is crazy. If it is not fake, it is most certainly a problem coin. If you are planning on getting it graded, then skip all this nonsense and just buy one that is already graded. I just checked Heritage's site. They currently have 28 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cents in auction ranging from VG to MS66 and every grade in between. Pick the one you want and bid on it. http://coins.ha.com/common/search_r...&Ns=&Nf=&Ntt=1909-S+VDB&x=0&y=0&Ntk=SI_Titles We know you are new to the hobby. There is no reason for you to prove it by making a "newbie" mistake by buying a big ticket key date raw problem coin and then being disappointed when it comes back from the TPG. Paul
I kuys are trying to look out for me and I really do appreciate it. Like I said before, I am not saying I am buying this coin. I am mainly trying to see how close I am getting to what you guys feel the grade of the coin is. If I could buy a coin for say a price of an AU and then it grades out as a MS, then I did not have t spend as much money to get a lot nicer coin. Now I know this could go the other way but I think grading is one of the things that is the hardest to grasp in the coin hobby and I would like to get as good as I can without making to many mistakes. I really doappreciate the concern of you guys and I definately am taking what all you guys say to heart. The fact that you actually care enough to make sure I dont get taken means a lot. I just want to see if I am close with validity and grade so yalls info would be great. I will try to get the pics as soon as possible. Thanks again guys and I really really appreciate it. :bow:
Buying a key date raw is very risky. I dont do it but that being said. Do you know this person well or is it a B and M store? If so see if they will let you pay for the coin and the grading fee. If it comes back as genuine at least then it will be a deal. But if it came back as fake or a grade you two agree upon then he needs to take it back. Thats about the only way I'd go with this at all. As for the coin I can't speak of fake or real but it does look polished espically on the obv. This would keep it from getting a grade but now a days they would slab it real if it is at least. Just my advice as Im no expert either.
I don't know pennies well enough to grade them. Looks like everyone else would rather give you advice on buying rather than the grade. Too bad.
I understand the cautions being offered on buying an expensive key coin raw. If you are working with an established dealer that will guarantee authenticity, forever, an important concern is being addressed. Here is a link to a previous thread that will help you evaluate '09 S VDB's... http://www.cointalk.com/t91049/
ok, here are some more pics. Let me know what grade you guys think and if you think it is authentic. Thanks
