Take a look at this: http://cgi.ebay.com/1909-S-VDB-XF-L...ryZ39456QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Is it just me or does the vdb look wrong. It could be the angles but something just doesn't appear right to me, any thoughts?
I looked at mine (which is PCGS certified) and it has the same leftward tilt to the D and the B. The placement of the group of initials is also left of center on my certified example and others I've looked at. The only thing that looks unusual with this one is that the notch of the "V" looks filled with something. There's also an extra dot to the right of the upper part of the "B". I can't tell from the picture what they are. Overall, it looks pretty much like other examples to me.
That's VVVVEEEERRRRYYYY doubtful to be bidding that up to that price!!! The S looks genuine but that's all!!!!
The VDB looks jerky! I would stay away from it IMO. When you start spending over 200.00 on any coin it is beat to buy one certified
I think the coin looks genuine. The VDB should look like that for a genuine piece, with the northeast slanting of the base of the D and the slanting of the lines on the B. The S also looks correct and appears to be in position 3.
I know the S looks correct, but I would like a close-up to see the die chip in the upper loop and the cut in the top serif. The vdb however is what appears to be a die chip in the V which I haven't seen before and either the light is wrong or the B is squashed because to my eyes it doesn't look like the middle line drops at an extreme enough angle. I beleive position 3 is correct in this case.
The coin looks genuine to me. But you can never be sure. There are so many quality looking fakes coming out of Southeast Asia these days that it is probably best to buy a certified coin if you're going to spend that kind of money.
I believe the coin to be genuine, though without an inhand inspection... I really don't see any red flags here other than the obvious (raw key date on ebay). The seller looks good, the coin looks good, I'd likely bid on this coin if I was in the market for one in that grade and the price was right. I certainly can't speak for anyone else though.
I would recommed going to the Heritage website and doing the free sign-up so that you can look at some nice, zoomed pictures of auction lots. There is a 1909-S VDB in the Milwaukee Sale (Auction 444, Lot 239) that you can zoom in and get a very clear look at how the VDB should look like. You can easily zoom in around the initials. Here's a link: http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=444&Lot_No=239
for the life of me.. i can't imagine why or how anyone would have the nerve, guts or courage to bid on expensive coins listed in ebay. i buy one now and then ~ i consider it equivalent to any other way i may spend time and disposable money .. but when it comes to a coin over $100 I want to see it in my hand.. not on a monitor. i want to hand the cash over to a person, not a paypal account.
It's quite easy to do as well as safe to do assuming two conditions are met. One - you know what you are doing. In other woirds you personally know enough about the coin in question to be able to make an informed decision. And two - you know the seller well enough to be able to trust them. You follow those guidelines and you will never have a problem. Don't follow them and you might as well just burn your money and save your effort and time.
