Hello, I recently joined this forum, and have been reading with much interest the various posts. I collect American coins among others. I purchased most of my coins in the late 80's either locally here in Germany, or at auctions in the US. Here is a 1909 S-VBD cent which i bought back then. It was purchsed un-slabbed as was the rule back then, so i am uncertain as to the grade. It was sold to me as uncirculated. But knowing how grading is done in the US with so many grades of uncirculated, i would like to have your opinions as to how it grades according to todays' standards. An idea of the value would be welcome also. I hope the pictures downloaded well. If not, i can try to post better ones. many thanks, Eduard
Where the heck are you coming up with these? You haven't been spending time on Home Shopping Network, have ya? (Just kidding) Very nice coin.
JMHO I would say MS-63. The streak on the right hand side of the obverse is curious, though. Very nice coin!!! If you decide it's just not wht you want, and feel the urge to give it away, send it to me!!!
Judging solely by the photos, I do not believe this coin would be slabbed by any of the big 3 because of an old cleaning and retoning. I would grade the coin MS details, cleaned, net AU. Regardless, a neat coin and thanks for sharing...Mike
I would send it in at least for authentication purposes to either PCGS, NGC or ANACS. I'd say it would grade MS62.
Sorry guys, but I have to go out on a limb here and say the coin looks like its counterfeit to me. The S dont look right (there is some distortion on the NW corner of the S when Magnified, there is no depression on the rim parallel to the edge above the I in IN, There should be a small diagonal depression in the rim above the E in WE, and on the reverse there should a small depression in the O of ONE from 2 to 3 o'clock. I say it would get body bagged.
Well, thank you very much for your comments so far. I wanted comments and input, and i got it. I never imagined this coin would be a fake. Considering that i bought it from a Bowers and Merena auction. This coin was lot 2062 of the Lloyd M. Higgins Sale of January 1988. Described there as "Mint State. Deep golden brown with some wood grain efect on the obverse.....free from distracting surface imperfections, etc". I have taken some more close up pictures of the coin. I hope that the resolution is good enough to allow a closer inspection of the key diagnostics. Thanks
Looks alright to me! And also it being from B&M would also be a point to the right IMHO. The coin does look like it may have been cleaned years ago and retoned---but it could be the photo....or just like so many other coins was lighty cleaned. I really don't think the "cleaning" takes away from this coin and think it would get graded and not BB'ed. Speedy
Beautiful coin. Get it graded and put the authenticity issue to rest. I don't know how you are storing it but it shouldn't be touched or exposed to any harsh variations in environment. Bruce
Eduard, If you don't mind me asking......how much did you pay for the coin way back when in 1988? It is a BEAUTIFUL coin by the way! Lucky man! swick
Once again, thank you for all your replies. Yes, i woud like to get my coins officially graded, BUT, i do not live in the US. I am german, and i do not know what the customs people would say if i were to come in with my US coin collection to get it graded. The risk is too great. Also, i do visit the US on occassion, but never long enough to allow for lengthy grading delays. From what i have read, it takes weeks. As it is, i store them in Intercept shields. No, i dont mind saying what it cost back then. My records say i paid $ 330. But i don't know if that included the 10% fee or not. Thanks, Eduard
not that I am an expert (not a copper collector) but my initial impression was that that was an original unc coin (uncleaned), but I will defer to those with more experience. I'd get it slabbed if I were you.
