I just bought this svdb and just wanted to get opinions on it because i wanted to know if its real. Thanks
Yes, better photos are needed. Take the photos straight on, not at an angle. (Portions of the coin are out of focus when you shoot at an angle.) I agree - from those photos the coin appears to have been cleaned. As to whether it is genuine or fake I won't venture to guess from those photos but something does not look right about the coin.
Hi Tristan, and welcome to CT. Can't answer your question, but I'll give a bit of advice. Patience is a virtue. One post is enough. It might take a while, but you will get answers to your questions. More posts won't speed things up any.
The second set of pix are better but still not good enough to judge authenticity. Here are some tips: Only four obverse dies were used for the S-VDB. Each used the same S die punch. The placement of the MM can vary in four ways but the S is always the same. The MM should have a squarish block-shape, with parallel serifs. There is a slight notch/groove that runs along the top curve near the right serif. There is a small die chip near the top side of the middle curve in the upper loop. The VDB on your cent looks correct (the shape of the B is telling...the center crossbar should be slanted). The 3 initials are closer to the left stem than the right. Examine the dot position between the D and B. On a non-S VDB the dot is close to the D. On an S-VDB the dot is centered between the two letters. Here is a link that may help. http://www.pcgs.com/Articles/Detail/6062 Lance.
You need clear photos straight on the coin. I see nothing to say that it is a fake, but that is far from proof. However, I would be reasonably sure it has been cleaned. You might want to read this thread. There is a lot of good info there for detecting fakes. http://www.cointalk.com/t78043/
That is an added S mint mark fake. There's no serif on the upper part of the S. It's also been harshly cleaned.
The MM is the wrong shape and is not in one of the 4 known positions. The VDB is correct so it appears to be a '09 VDB with an added "S".
Yes, the dot seems correct to me also. What you are missing in that added "S theory is that the dot was only located there for S VDB's and proofs. The proof is worth as much or more than the S VDB. IMO, the "S" looks funky in the second clearer picture, but it looks correct in the first picture. Unless or until he posts clear straight on shot, I still see nothing to convince me it is fake - but far from enough to say it is real.
I blew up the date area on the first pic. It looks like it is in the wrong place. So my guess is now fake.
I'm inclined to agree, rlm. If the coin were square to the camera the position of the S might be lower than it appears. Better photos are needed. Lance.
I hope you can get your money back from the seller, you bought one expensive penny because that's all it's worth now!
