1909 s-vdb - New Pictures of an Old Friend

I am not real good at taking pics, especially of little coins like this one.
How would you grade it based on these new photos?

Wood grain effect.

 

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Oh man @Eduard ..... How I would love to spend an afternoon with you at your coin desk.... That is an absolutely spectacular specimen.

 

Nice photog of a true classic, Eduard.

'65

 

AG! For Absolutely Gorgeous....

 

MS65 easy, that is one beautiful coin. Congrats and thanks for sharing it.

 

Easy 66.

 

At least 65. ❤️

 

I grade it wow.

 

65

 

AU58+

 

Very carefully.

 

You're pics are great! Now, I normally do not attempt to grade anything by pic alone - I only like to express an opinion when I have the coin in hand.

I assume this is your coin, and if so, I am wondering the source (how you acquired it).

I feel compelled to offer my opinion, (& remember, it's just my opinion based on your pics) with the following caveats:

1) I own several of these, graded (I know, I know, "why do you need more than one?"; but I'm not going to go there now.).
2) I am not an expert on these.
3) Also, I'm not an expert on these, and furthermore,
4) I...oh, I already said that!

So, as nice as this coin appears on my computer screen, I don't believe it is an MS coin, and I believe it has been cleaned. The rubs on Abe's hair & the back collar & shoulder of his coat looks suspicious to me. And the encrustations in "LIBERTY", the "S" in TRUST, and the wheat ears give me pause, not to mention the "V.D.B.", which looks "off" to me (I did not take the time to compare it to known varieties). And just the overall appearance does not have that "uncleaned" look...to me.

So, for me, it comes back to the source of this coin. I would not have bought such a coin ungraded.

JMHO

 

Fair question(s) - no problem .

I bought this in 1988, from the Bowers and Merena sale of the Ebenezer Milton Saunders Collection. This I think was before slabbing became prevalent, and only ANACS was grading coins using their photo certificates.

I remember they listed a few of these in the catalogue, all graded MS60 or maybe it was Mint State, I don t remember exactly. This one had the additional description: "wood grain toning", or something like that. I paid $300 + 10% for it.

It has essentially not been touched for 35 years...It does not look cleaned to me - just a natural brownish, even tone and not the unnatural orange glow of cleaned copper, no scratches, hairlines, etc. I am sure B&M would have mentioned it if cleaned. I guess you have to see it in-hand.

 

Very nice indeed!

 

@Eduard, thanks for the back story, sounds good. It's most likely considerably more valuable now than when you bought it. I still don't see it as an MS coin, but that may just be me. Thanks for posting it!

 

@PlanoSteve, I detect a bit of jealousy in your opinion. I enhanced the pics and see only a very nice uncirculated MS65 coin, in my opinion. Of course, you are entitled to yours also.

 

Sweet SVDB! 65

 

@Eduard that is a beautifully struck specimen. Congrats on being the custodian of that coin.

I am not an expert at coin grading.
I do not like evaluating a condition from a picture online.
I tend to avoid offering my grade opinion based on only a picture.
Enough caveats....

From what I can see in the picture, there appears to be wear on Lincoln's hair, at 10 to 11 o'clock from his ear. It could possibly be lighting and angles.

Since I can only base my opinion of grade on the information, picture, provided, I will be the outlier at AU55.

I'd be honored to have that beauty in my collection.

 

Q, not at all. If you actually understood my post, you would have understood that I already own several of these, graded, & I have looked at enough to have my opinion. I enlarged the photos myself & my opinion remains unchanged.

 

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Nov. 87. BU.