does anyone have a quick surefireway to tell that the coins are real? a pis would help. Im trying to finish my wheat cent(penny for cave-troll) collection. thank's for the help
Isn't the first flag on that coin is the "s" is in the wrong place? I have been told that the s should be more under the 0? Thats why I'm here to get my questions answered by the best. thanks
does anyone have a quick surefireway to tell that the coins are real? Buy them in a PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG slab. For these two coins I strongly suggest you purchase them certified -- they are among the most counterfeited. Isn't the first flag on that coin is the "s" is in the wrong place? I have been told that the S should be more under the 0? Yes, that's one sign of an altered/added mintmark... Beware on the 22-plain of the cheaper varieties masquerading as more value die pair 2. Here's a good article on the 22 plain: http://www.coinworld.com/news/072803/BW_0728.asp Also beware of an added-mintmark on the 1909-s VDB....Mike p.s. I would compare supersized Heritage photos to the coins in question. Here's a nice 1909-s VDB: http://coins.heritageauctions.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=420&Lot_No=169&src=pr#PHOTO Here's a nice 22 plain w/strong reverse (die pair 2): http://coins.heritageauctions.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=384&Lot_No=1093&src=pr
I am looking at one of mine right now. It was slabbed by NGC. The S is in between the 9 & the 0 and it is slightly slanted. That's the way it should be. Hope this helps.
I think there was around 4-5 Ovb. Dies for the 1909-S VDB and IIRC the mintmark isn't in the same place on all of them. I agree with Leadfoot---buy them slabbed---I also would trust PCI for one of these---they seem to be alright with detecting fake coins--and my 1909-S VDB is in a PCI slab! Speedy
thanks for the help! I'm trying to buy raw coins for my dansco set, and I will buy high grade cert coins for an invesment-- I am just trying to complete my set with real coins!!!
Well then buy the coins slabbed and crack them out---that would be the best thing to do! Its just a large risk you take when buying one of these coins raw--- Speedy
I was trying not to do that, but that looks like it is the path that I will go. Will look around for them, what grading companys should I look for? I trust PCGS,NGC,ANACS speedy said PCI, what about ICG,SEGS???
Cracking them out is one idea, but you take a chance if they later prove to be fakes. Remember what happened with the micro 'O' Morgan dollars, that have now been "proved" to be contemporary counterfeits. Counterfeit detection is improving every year and if cracked out you lose the protection that the slabbing company gives you. Good luck.
Your right Frank---and if they are cracked out then there is no way to get your money back from the TPG. I also like ICG and SEGS---I would trust ICG with any coin that might be fake as some of their workers teach the FBI how to know if a coin is fake Speedy
Never buy any of these keys sight-unseen (i.e., eBay), it just is NOT worth it! For instance, Q. David Bowers wrote an article awhile back that over half of the 1916-D Mercs he saw on one show floor at a major coin show were all FAKES! If a key date like the 1909-S VDB is NOT slabbed by a major TPG, RUN! Unless you have access to seller's first born and an ironclad return policy, do not buy these keys like the 09S-VDB unless you have an expert eye. There just is too much money to be made by the bad guys in our hobby.