09 S VDB Real or Fake?

You can't say that all the way around without a close-up of the MM. They show a close up of the VDB but not the MM. That should make any potential buyer say HUMMMMMMMM. The MM is nearly impossible to fake. I've seen some that are close, but still no cigar. For me the MM is THE main diagnostic.

 

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Thanks folks. I guess you are right. I should buy one that has been slabbed, but I really hate paying a premium since I will bust it out to go in an album. (I know--I know! No nasty posts please) I'll just have to step up. Thanks again for all the replies.

 

So buy it slabbed by ICG or ANACS or SEGS. You will pay less of a premium because it is not in a PCGS or NGC slab (even if those two would put it ina slab at the exact same grade.) but you will be able to feel confident about the authenticity.

 

I know its been a while since I looked at my examples, but something doesn't feel right about the V.D.B. I cannot place it, but they seem off. It could be the angle they photographed it in, but I would be leery because of that. The rest of the coin appears appropriate off the top of my head.

 

I'm a little cautious about the depth of the "VDB". The wheat stalks seem very well struck and exhibit plenty of shadow, in his pictures. But the VDB just seems too flat, or lightly struck.

 

I have seen many fakes on eBay. One time I saw an '09 S VDB. It looked flawless and it was being sold for $995. The curious thing was Lincoln was smiling and the date and "VDB" looked hand-carved into the coin. I didn't report it though because it was just one of those things that you didn't want to get in trouble by the seller for.

 

The original "V" widens at the top. This appears to go straight.

 

Could it be the second 9 being smaller than the first 9?