I will briefly spell out my situation and provide pictures in a short while. I purchased from a local store a 1909 VDB LWC that was labeled on its 2x2 cardboard flip as being a business strike in Fine condition, priced at $20. To me at least this particular VDB was obviously something more than a simple circ strike. The reverse has a full on Matte finish and is in very nice condition, I would venture to guess somewhere in the PF-60 to PF-63 grade range while the obverse shows even wear and friction on Lincoln's potrait as well as the fields, yet still retains nice definition on the portrait. Grade for obverse would be IMO PF-50. Most importantly prehaps, the strike shows the edges and rims to be exceptionally square, with even distance between the inner and outter rim diameters. The coin viewed edge on shows high polish and reflectivity. I looked at someother items as well hoping that the dealer would not reappraise the 09 VDB. I was more than happy to pay the $20 price as listed on the flip and quickly move along. However the person helping me proceeded to drop the coin in its flip, hitting the nice soft corner of glass display case imparting a nice contact mark to the rim of the obverse at the 11 o clock position. The price was knocked down to $15 as a result. I have been able to identify the 3 die characteristics associated with Proof VDBs, die polish lines on obverse by lincolns nose, under R T of liberty also. Anyone know what a find would be worth?
The photo is a little out of focus to see diagnostics, but it appears there is a die scratch within the C of CENTS. It travels from the upper inside C towards the bottom of the E. The VDB MPL doesn't have this scratch. The scratch appears in all other MPLs. The VDB is the exception.
I am pretty sure that all proofs have the dot centered between the D and B. Yours does not. Sorry, but I doubt it is a proof.
Die polish line extends on a slight downward angle from the tip of the nose approximately 1/4". A couple other die polishing lines can be seen just below this nose line. This picture just barely shows the nose line. My phone camera is not capable of taking super detailed zoom pictures. The edge of the coin is really a mirror finish. I can't reconcile the idea of this being a business strike with all the evidence pointing to this being a 09 VDB Proof. The rim of the coin is clearly square and what's more is the rim is of the proper width and of even width around the entire circumference. I can clearly see the die polish line extending from lincoln's nose and additional polish lines extending from Lincoln's back up to the R and T in LIBERTY. Last, on the reverse I can make out the 3rd diagnostic that being a small die imperfection between the M in UNUM and the top of the wheat grains. I'm trying to provide better pics but the new forum format is not playing nicely with my smart(dumb) phone.
I was wondering about the center dot. This still does not explain the fact that the planchet was undoubtedly polished before being struck. The square edges and even rim width can't be explained away and I can see places where it is evident the coin was struck 2 times. Only 1 single die pair was used to make the VDB proofs and I can clearly see 3 diagnostic features unique to that die pair. I'm not so sure the dot on the VDB is a true diagnostic feature. Anyone know who would be the best person to talk to, someone specialized in 09 VDB Proofs?
I am up to 10 proof and every one has the centered dot. BTW, here are the die characteristic for the proofs http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=608346
Sorry, I'm seeing a business strike. If you are so certain it is a proof then you should have the coin sent to PCGS/NGC immediately.
Btw the link posted with the die diagnostics was the same page I happened to refer to when examining this coin
http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Matte-Proofs-Kevin-Flynn/dp/B002JF16FW/ Best reference on subject of raw LMP.
