You learn something new every day. Everybody knows about the 1909-S VDB but I had no idea that the proof was light years more valuable. This MS67+ RD CAC is being auctioned and is currently up to $168,850 with buyer's fee. Price guide says $380k, Yowzer. https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1745173/
I'm assuming this is one of the early matte proofs? I've seen them from different years and they are beautiful coins! This one seems to have kept a lot of redness. I think Lincoln cent matte proofs are often found toned due to packaging they were put in.
I don't know anything about these but from poking around I get the impression that all of the proofs 1909-1916 were matte proof. Yes, articles online indicate that the tissue paper they were packaged in had a high sulfur content which caused toning.
It’s a matter of a very low mintage and a hoarder who was able to corner a considerable number of the surviving population. This person had over 50 pieces. It’s a frustrating coin for those, like me, who would like to build a set 21st century Proof type coins.
Mintage 2198 versus 1194 according to PCGS. So roughly twice as many, and yet in say 65RD the price guide is 1800 versus 55000. Is it number of survivors or the cachet of the VDB? The 1916 has the lowest mintage (1050) but even then in 65RD it's 8500. I guess it's the VDB cachet.
Sold, $275,625 with buyer's fee. Some deep pockets going at it, bidder 18 swooped in at the end. I notice that this coin is in the #1 all-time finest registry set, Red Copper Collection, but that set shows "Retired Statistics 6/13/2025." Not sure what that means. #3 all-time, also "retired", had the other PR67+RD. Let's see if this coin shows up in the registry under the new owner. Hansen has the current #2 so maybe he wants to vault into the lead.
The 1909 VDB was the last matte proof I needed for my set. I watched the price just keep going up and up. At some point I gave up.
