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Even closer shots of the s

This is as close as I can get and I don't see any signs that this coin was ever altered. Unless the person who did was really, really good.

 

MOen-yours looks genuine. Only 4 obverse dies were used to make the 09SVDB's so there is a very limited number of ways that the S can look (in fact the "S" was punced into the 4 dies with the same shaped "S". Moen's mintmark also has a small die chip in the upper loop, which while not conclusive by itself is a positive identifier that the MM is genuine. The other things are that the general shape of the MM is correct. It should be (and is) very rectangular. Finally there is a large dip in the upper end of the "S" immediately to the left of the serif. As near as I can tell it is genuine.

Now, as for JMH2283's coin, I believe it to be an altered coin. The top loop of the MM is too small and the bottom loop is much too round and the lower serif should extend down to the level of the bottom of the lower loop and it doesn't. I don't know whether the MM was added (and "glued" on) or if it was created from the metal on the coin itself.

One question to ALWAYS ask when buying a raw 09SVDB (or 14D cent, 16D dime, 94P Morgan, 93S Morgan, or any other key date) is "Why isn't this coin in a slab?" The answer almost invariably is, "Because it is unslabbable." If it is unslabbable, do you really want to own it?


P.S. JMH-is your coin dealer a Lincoln expert? I'm suprised that he missed such an obviously fake mintmark. hmmm, if you can return it that is what I'd recommend, otherwise offer it to your dealer.

 

I've never attempted to have my 09svdb slabbed or graded, so I have no idea what price I'd get for it if I were ever to put it on the market. I like my coins in books rather than plastic cases. It is easier to look at them and it feels more like a collection than a possession. But that is just my preferrence. Others would slab it in a minute I'm sure.

 

I feel the same way BUT slabs are nice for key coins too...if that coin was stolen and it was graded and you had the number off the slab you might get it back...as is now...if you said you had lost a 1909-S VDB...who is to say you had this one or this one or this one....
Also if you would have to sell it someday a slab is going to sell faster...better...higher than a raw one of these.

Speedy

 

If I did ever decide to sell it, I could always get it slabbed at that time. Good photos are also a way to identify it and possibly get it back. You can always open a slab and re-slab a coin while you can't change the fine marks that act like finger prints. Selling it isn't my problem. My real problem is that I need two more.

 

You need 2 more S VDB's???

WOW...I think when I get my one I will start on another set and not worry about getting another S VDB!

Speedy

 

Well, I have three sons and I figure that I need to collect three sets of everything so that they can each have one. I wonder how many it is speculated that still exist ? ? ?

 

484,000 originally minted with more than a million in existance today!!

Now if you are only counting original specimens actually minted in 1909 at the SanFrancisco mint originally bearing the initials VDB...I'd guess between 425,000 and 450,000. Remember that this was a collectable issue from the day it was minted. It was the first circulating US coin bearing a former President (who happened to be VERY popular, it was the design's first year of issue, and within just a few months everyone knew that it would be scarce since the design was changed. So many of these were saved that it is surprisingly easy to find MS64Red examples at EVERY show you go to. Here's a challenge, next time you go to a show ask each dealer if he has a MS64RD (or better) '09SVDB and just count how many you see, it will be astonishing!

This is one coin that will NEVER be rare.

 

It will never been rare in finding one...but finding one for sale and in the grade you want is harder and will be harder as time goes on...but I think it will me much rarer than some of these coins minted after 1964....IMO

Speedy

 

Please excuse me for mocking you a little bit here but, DUH!

Of course a 100 year old coin with a mintage of less than 1/2 a million will always be less common than a Delaware quarter with a mintage of more than 5/6 of a Billion (with a B). It seems you have had a blinding flash of the obvious

That said, I really do think that the 09SVDB will always be available in any grade with relative ease, assuming you can afford it.



P.S. Please don't take offense to this good-natured ribbing. I respect your opinion and am just having a little fun with you.

 

I guess I should have said a few things in another way...as the guy before me said that the S VDB will never be rare...I don't agree on that 100%....
Now I there are coins that are worth more than the S VDB that were minted after the S VDB and I think it could happen again...that is why I don't agree with it 100%....
And if you want the truth...the S VDB isn't really the key coin to the set...the 1909 VDB Proof is much rarer....

So I guess what I was saying is....its rare in one "cents"...that many need it for sets and manny are willing to pay for it and so on...but in another "cents"...a lot of people are willing to buy the 2004 WI-D with a low leaf....

Speedy

 

Good thinking, Speedy

 

As is the 1922 Plain and the 1955 DDO and once you begin collecting high grade red examples then a suprisingly large number of coins are more valuable (and much more difficult to find) than the SVDB.

Now THIS I agree with!