Before I buy these 4 1909 S VDB's....

It is usually easier to rule out the fakes from the reverse than the obverse. I look at the "N" in United and the dot between the D and B. If they are OK, I move to the obverse. I'll second the motion on rlm as an expert. He knows his stuff.

 

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Did you put up new pictures? I believe you did . I checked the first and fourth and I believe they are fakes.

 

No, same pics. The guy is shipping them to me and the purchase is conditional on then being genuine. I will photograph them when they arrive. Those were the seller's pics.

 

make sure you get straight on pics of both the obv and the rev and close ups of the date/mm and the vdb.

 

Did anybody else notice that there was some discoloration different than the surrounding area around all of the MMs?

Or was that because it was not a straight-on photo?

 

That's actually indicative of die 4. They seem to come like that depending on the die state of the dies when the coin was struck.

 

Thanks, Matt !
I am not crazy after all,
Seems like there is always something to learn about Lincoln cents

 

I think I can see the die chip in all the MMs - but I'm not positive. Also, full coins pics need to be posted. Making any kind of judgment based on angled pictures of just the date area is virtually impossible.

Based on what I can see, the first two coins have been cleaned and retoned. The 3rd one looks to have some sort of chemical damage because I can see metal in spots around a deep patina. GOOD LUCK

 

Yes, I know that based on the seller pics probably only one of them is problem-free, but with 09 S VDB's you gotta certify them all in order to move them. Typically, anyway...

 

The coins should be here tomorrow. I'll take new pics and post em.

 

Agreed, and they will move after certification even if there are problems. GOOD LUCK!

 

Here they are (in a different order).
#1

#2
#3

#4

 

IMO, these are all legitimate Die Pair 4 coins. I can see the die chip inside the upper loop of the S clearly on coins 1,3, and 4, and believe that I can see it on 2, but am not positive. Additionally, the VDB on all of them looks authentic (i.e. in the right place, the center bar of the B is slanted down, all the periods are in the right place).
That being said the question now is which one appeals to you most. Were it I, coin 2, provided a quick scope with a loop reveals the die chip and the notch in the serif would be the coin that I would choose. It looks to be a nice XF45 and even if it has been retoned, it is not a coin I would turn down. Coin 1, while in nice condition has a nasty scratch under the C in cents through the IT in united. Coin 3 has a look I am not sure of and the spots on the back appear to me to be corrosion and coin 4 has a large gouge out of the coin just behind Lincoln's head. This is just my four cents.

 

I agree. All look good to me as well.

 

They all line up with die #4 and everything else looks good. Congratulations!! BTW, I think there is a possibility they would all grade although I am not sure about a couple.

 

Thanks, guys! I feel better now.

 

I very much appreciate the free help as well. Thanks to you all, I have already learned a lot about these and will continue to learn more!

 

Nice coins. Now, go buy that book! ;D

 

Just got the grades! From top to bottom on the second set of pics... XF45, XF40, VF25, VF20. All problem free, which I find shocking.

 

PCGS or NGC?

Im gonna say PCGS