What would you do ?

I have a chance to purchase this 1909-S-VDB Lincoln for less than $ 600.00.
I question why someone would not have this high price coin graded before selling. Could you experts look at the photo's and try to determine if there are any problems, such as is it a fake? and what would you grade it as ? Thanks;

Dave

 

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Im not pro with Lincoln cents so I cant say about the authenticity. IF it is real, it does appear to be cleaned

 

There's a thread on here about authenticating S-VDBs. Check the mint mark and the V.D.B.

I also think it looks cleaned. Is the seller someone you trust? Maybe you could make a deal to return it if it comes back fake or in a problem slab?

 

@Mojavedave

I don't like the fact that the photos were taken in the 2x2. There are too many things the mylar can hide. The fact that there are staple holes in the 2x2 makes me think someone could have been messing with the coin. I'm particularly concerned with the area around UNUM on the reverse.

Chris

 

Looks clean to me also rim ding even for $600 a problem coin will always be a problem coin. I say pass .......mho

 

Are these the best photos you have? I just can't see it well enough to say with certanty, but let's just say that at this point I'm a tad apprehensive regarding authenticity. The mintmark placement, if I'm recalling correctly, is right enough to be only #4 by location, yet seems high, and the over all detail strikes me as being rather weak and mushy, but again, I simply cannot see the coin well enough to be 100% confident at this point. This is one that really should have been removed from the flip for imaging. Perhaps @rlm's cents is willing to share his thoughts.

 

I am pretty sure that coin is a fake. The wheat lines do not end in a point and the N in UNITED is not correct. I cannot see the VDB clear enough to see if it is correct.

 

Something looks off, and it's the wheat ears, and the mint mark. I am not an expert on authenticating pennies, but to me it looks like a China town special.

 

Rim, I respect your opinions. So, would you pass at $ 600.00 ?
I can afford it, but I don't want to get burned.
Dave

 

Clearer pics are needed , but I have my doubts just on the mushiness of the details . Also cleaning might be done to take your eyes off the real problem like the MM and the VDB , which should have the middle line at an angle in the B . The S MM should be boxy not rounded like the one looks in your pic .

 

I understand you weren't responding to me, but if it is legit, I'd totally buy it.

 

I just noticed the N in unum , it's not correct at all . With everything else , I'd say pass .

 

That is the point of this discussion, to find out if it is legit or not.
Thank you for your opinion.

 

100% pass. That is either the worst photos going or a fake.

 

For 600 bux,with all the ? marks and no holder,even ICG I'd pass too....

 

I would pass, for just a little bit more money you can find nice graded VF 35s. Even though the price is high on the S VDB there is never a shortage of them for sale. It is just not a date/mintmark combination you have to take chances on or risk not finding another for quite a while

 

I notice by looking at the Red Book, that the "S" mint mark is located between the first 9 and the "0". The "S" on this coin appears to be directly below the "0". Is this a valid observation ?

 

Without good photos it is kind of hard to tell for sure. It is at least real close to #4. The S shape looks a bit off, but again that could be the photo.

 

These photos are not sharp enough or big enough to determine authenticity, IMO. I'd want properly focused, large photos outside the 2x2 or a look at the coin in hand. And, I'd want to get it certified with a buyback agreement in case it comes back non-genuine. The 09-SVDB is the single most seen counterfeit coin at NGC these days.