My new Boston NEWPS: TONED 1909-S VDB and 1877 - which ones to keep?

I wasn't looking to change out either my 1909-S vdb or my 1877, but I just couldn't pass up these beauties.

I love my current 1909-S vdb with its pretty colorful toning, but this new one has such beautiful color and eye appeal on both sides. I know it has slight remnants of a fingerprint on the reverse, but that doesn't bother me because the look and toning is so beautiful and the fingerprint seems to have toned with the coin. Ok, forgetting what the grades and holders say and just looking at the coins themselves, what are your thoughts?

Here's my NEW 1909-S vdb....



and here's my OLD 1909-S vdb....



I also bought this new 1877 thinking I'd replace my current 1877, but I and I still go back and forth on which one to keep, but I think I'm going to keep my "old" 1877. Anyone care to chime in on my choice of 1877's - again, please try to ignore the holders/sticker!?

Here's the new one I bought in Boston....



and here's my current one....

 

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I like the new one on both. I just wish I could afford to buy either of the old ones from you, they are all beautiful coins.

Richard

 

I like the new ones better than the old ones, not even a second of doubt.
That new Lincoln is mind boggling, one that would be nice to see in hand.

Astounding.

 

Your "old" ones are going to turn black before your newps. They all look astounding, however.

I vote out with the old and in with the new. Good job on finding those beauties.

 

Very nice!

 

I think your old S VDB has some fingerprint remnant also. Neither of them bother me a bit. I likewise prefer the new one.

As for your 1877's, I should have such problems. However, being a woodie fan, there is little doubt to me which one I prefer - the new one.

 

Beautiful! Nice pick-ups!!

 

I would stick with your old 1909 s vdb but keep the new 1877. On the old 1909 s vdb the colors look really nice together but on the new one they kind of clash and the fingerprint is too noticable The new 1877 just has nicer reverse toning and a more fiery obverse color. .

 

They are all great! I do like the new 1909 over the older one, undecided with the 1877. Do you plan on selling your older ones?

 

I would prefer the new 1909 and the old 1877. However, I would be happy with either one (or their ugly step-sister) just to help finish my set. All beautiful coins.

 

agreed!
100%

 

tough call.. I personally will go for crispness of strike before colors/toning, I'll over look small handling marks in favor of the details. With that said, after flipping back and forth a zillion times I am inclined to choose the NGC coins. BTW what is going on with area at Abes throat on the PCGS coin?

 

i was waiting to see these pictures and am not disappointed!

for me it would be a tough situation, more so for the S-vdb. i really like the new 1877.

 

I prefer the older 1909 S VDB over the new one. The reverse toning on the old 1909 S VDB is remarkable.

Neither of the 1877's are my cup of tea.

Charmy, will you be at the Philly show?

 

Those all seem to be very attractive pieces...

 

Charmy,
I really like the two new ones - the look just blows me away. I bought the 09-S-VDB 65RB CAC at the Boston Heritage auction - I'll trade ya anytime! lol

 

I prefer....

S-VDB: Coin 1 (new) That's a fabulous coin. Wow.

'77: Coin 2 (old) Not really keen on either one, but I prefer the old one. Although the new coin does appear to have better luster, I'm just not a fan of high-grade & high-price woodgrain, personally.

Congrats on your NEWPs & thanks for sharing...Mike

 

I like both of the new ones, just because of the eye appeal.

 

The first one graded by PCGS looks like the grader left his fingerprint on the reverse?

 

Thanks everyone for all of your comments - unfortunately, they is no clear concensus. Here are some of my observations: I look at and judge the coin for itself and try to ignore what holder it's in or what grade has been assigned. I love the toning on my old svdb but the obverse doesn't have the color that the reverse does, and the new svdb is colorfully toned on both sides, even though the reverse has a little more color. The fingerprint does not bother me especially since it toned nicely with the coin and didn't turn black. The strike on both are comparable, and neither has any unsightly spots.

On the 1877, I absolutely love the toning on my old one. The strike is very good for an 1877, and the only flaw is the mark on the last feather - there are no spots or problems with this beauty. The obverse toning is so deep and rich, with amazing deep blue magenta toning. And even though the reverse isn't toned, it doesn't bother me as much as it would had the obverse and reverse been swtiched like the svdb. As most would agree, if a coin could only have toning on one side, for me it definitely needs to be on the obverse. The new 1877 has absolutely gorgeous toning, much prettier than even in Todd's wonderful photos, with the reverse being even more colorful. And it's full of blooming luster. There are a couple very tiny spots that bother me a little. I'd much rather have a ding than a spot. There is tiny dark speck above the date and a few very light "toning" specks in front of the nose and above the second feather and on the ear. Also, there is a very faint lighter area between the E and S in STATES that is hard to see in the photo which could be a minor planchet alloy discoloration. Again, the strikes are pretty even with both coins so that's not a factor.

In any event, I'm leaning towards the new svdb, but as Mark suggested, I do submit to the philosophy that if you can't decide between something, staus quo is usually the best way to go, so I'm probably going to keep my old 1877.