Maybe this one will be fun. Sorry about the fluff. TPG name omitted, for now. 1909 VDB Guess The Grade...
So...since you want us to "guess the grade" I assume you want us to tell you what the TPG graded the coin. Without knowing which TPG it is...we can't do that (as I can guarantee you PCGS would grade this coin very differently than SEGS). Now, if you want us to tell you what WE think it grades...we can do that. But, without knowing the TPG we can't accurately "Guess the Grade" it was given.
Don't take it so seriously. "Grade the coin, not the slab". Here is a hint, it didn't grade Details. I just witnessed a Numismatist downgrade two PCGS MS 62 and MS 63 coins with CAC stickers, to AU based on his opinion. That was while looking at the slabs. The slab should not be relevant. Test your subjective opinion against the subjective opinion of the grader of this coin.
I'm not so sure it shouldn't have. The surfaces look odd to me...something doesn't look right. I'm guessing some kind of environmental damage. But...assuming the coin is problem free, I will call it an EF40 based on the details. That's the nature of grading today. Many coins that graded AU years ago due to the traditional ANA standards are being graded MS now because that's what the market wants. It's not his "opinion" it's the standards he is using.
I think it's a 40 because the is no luster visible in the photos. Usually with a 45 I would expect to still some at least a little bit of luster in the protected areas.
Do the surfaces bother anyone else? I just think it looks like it has environmental damage or something.
He wrote that it was his opinion. My point is, that you can be looking at the grade, slab, TPG name and CAC sticker and still not share the same opinion. In other words, I was just hoping you'd share your opinion, and you did. Thanks!
It makes for an interesting and inexpensive type specimen for the international community. I don't mind owning it.
I would have guessed 50. That's the sort of coin that really doesn't need to be certified... usually I need a coin to be worth $100 or more before I even think about certification and this one here is worth less than $20.