Here is a link I found on the various die varieties--the die variety (I believe) does not impact the value on the S-VDB. http://www.pcgs.com/News/Counterfeit-Vs-Authentic-1909-s-Vdb-Lincoln-Cents
Those are not die VARIETIES, but actual dies. They only used 4 dies to make the S VDB. That is one way of authentication.
NICE! Looks genuine to me. DO NOT USE ANYTHING ON THIS COIN. It's perfect exactly how it is, no conservation is required at all IMO. For now, it should be in an Airtite. I think it will grade cleanly as is. I actually like the gunk on it, adds a certain character and shows originality of the surfaces. I'm with RLM here, get that into a slab ASAP....NGC or PCGS. I think it could pull an AU53 on a good day. CONGRATS!
And I also agree with RLM on the surface gunk. I've seen that type of residue many times, it is not active corrosion based on what I can see in the photos. It appears to be the garden variety, black grease-type residue. These can be removed easily with xylene....but this is a coin that should not be tampered with in any way. It's beautiful as is - a remarkable specimen to find unslabbed!
The most important diagnostic for me is the die chip in the upper loop of the S...for example: All of the genuine coins have this die chip. I suspect it's one of the first diagnostics TPG graders look at before even grading an SVDB.
Thank you for the correction RLM! And BadThad, thank you so much for the invaluable information! I will be sending this and a few others into NGC soon. I can't tell you all how great it is to have access to such knowledgable collectors, for that I am very grateful!
I agree with Super Dave...It,s a nice XF with good eye appeal...certify it, and leave well enough alone.
Very nice Lincoln! The answer is EF-45. A nice, solid 45 at that. If you sell it, don't let anybody talk you into taking 40 money for it!
Coin appears to be an awfully nice Lincoln, I wouldn't mess with it. The copper carbonate gives it some real character.
