Did I just make a rookie mistake...1909 VDB cent

I'd been anticipating the arrival of this coin, advertised as a red gem BU. The seller just used a stock photo so I couldn't see what it actually looked like, but I went ahead and bought it anyway. That's on me.

The coin came today and it is indeed bright and shiny red! But it looks like it's been heavily cleaned/polished. In particular I note the sharply outlined letters on the reverse, and the overall "pebbled" surface texture. Maybe whizzed? I don't know much about this sort of thing. I'd be grateful to hear what you think - maybe (hopefully?) I'm wrong and the coin is "original"?

 

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I believe the coin has been whizzed. If the color in the photos is accurate, it’s all wrong. I’ll post a picture of a red 1909-VDB tomorrow. I’m on an iPad right now.

A Mint State piece should not have digs in the field. You should be able to return it.

 

Thanks! Yeah it's clearly not mint state - in addition to the dings, I think I see wear on the portrait and other high points. And I've seen that same pebbly texture on other whizzed coins I have.

 

I agree with it being whizzed. It has a very textured surface.

 

Here is a red one for comparison.
Probably RB but anyways.


That one is definitely messed with Meat man!

 

For those that don't know what "whizzing is".....
A whizzed cent refers to a coin that has been mechanically buffed to create a false shine, often using a wire brush or Dremel tool. This process strips away the coin's natural surface, resulting in an unnatural, harsh look that can make it appear as if it were made of chrome. Whizzing is a deceptive technique used to make coins look better, but it permanently destroys the coin's luster and value, making it one of the more aggressive forms of damage in numismatics.