This coin deserves a GRADE! 1909S VDB PCGS "genuine" slab.

Welcome to CC!

Submitting coins to NGC/PCGS is tricky business and only for the experienced. Lots of newbies make mistakes so chalk this one up to experience....albeit an expensive lesson. I suggest you gather opinions by posting pictures and asking questions before you try again. We might have been able to save you money.

Also, keep in mind, just because a TPG says a coin is "questionable", doesn't necessarily make it a problem coin. In many cases it simply means they don't want it in their holder because it doesn't meet their predefined criteria for look. This happens ALL the time.

Save your popcorn for awhile longer folks.

I haven't submitted the coin for regrading yet. I do want to thank everyone for the advice and opinions.

I will eventually re-submit it, but it's not a priority at the moment. In my opening post I mentioned 4 other coins that I planned on including with my submission. Of those 4 coins, 3 of them would have to grade 66+ in order to cover the cost of having them graded. I seriously doubt that they would have honestly.

Truth-be-told, I was looking for a "reason" to re-submit the 09svdb and trying to justify sending it along with others that "might" be worth it.

I'm leaning towards ANACS when I finally do send it in. I've learned that PCGS isn't the best TPG to send any "questionable" copper.

As of right now, this coin is headed back into the album I found it in. I'll keep you all posted...

Thanks again for all the advice.

I suppose your recent nickel experience is satisfying enough for now.


It is, but without a grade and marked as genuine, not a details grade. This makes it difficult to sell for (or just know) what it is really worth. A lot of people are biased by the TPG opinion and won't see past it to assess a true grade.


Probably. If only to give up or resubmit it (more money for the TPG).

Isn't the ANACS special that just ended for coins worth less than $500 though?

Well, I hope this thread isn't too old for me to bring back.

First and foremost, I need to apologize for my errors in my opening post. A "98" designation from PCGS is NOT an improperly-cleaned coin. A 98 bodybagged coin is a coin with damage.

Here's the list of codes:

Code Reason Explanation Described Holdered
82 Filed Rims Rim(s) and/or edge is filed. (more) Yes Yes
83 Peeling Lamination Potential for sealing damage. (more) Yes No
84 Holed and/or Plugged Any filled or non-filled hole. (more) Yes Yes
91 Questionable Color Any artificial re-toning & dipped copper. (more) No Yes
92 Cleaning Harsh cleaning or polishing. (more) No Yes
93 Planchet Flaw Generally large & prominent flaw(s). (more) No Yes
94 Altered Surfaces Any applied substance (wax, putty, lacquer). (more) No Yes
95 Scratch(s) Large & prominent scratch(s). (more) No Yes
97 Environmental Damage Corrosion, excessive toning, verdigris. (more) No Yes
98 Damage Any metal movement. (more) Yes Yes
99 PVC Residue Oily polyvinylchloride substance. (more) Yes No

The "(more)" in the 98 designation is a link to a more detailed definition of "metal movement". Here's what it says:

The following damage descriptions are some of the more common that may be indicated on your 98 graded insert.

1. Graffiti (significant distracting etchings- occasionally net graded on early coins)
2. Planchet streak removed (usually found on gold coins)
3. Spot(s) removed (leaving some form of damage that is evident)
4. Surfaces tooled (major metal movement- whizzing, lasering, tooling)
5. Machine damage (either: counting machine or coin wrapping machine)
6. Rim damage (either: rim gouge or test cut)
7. Surface damage (either: large gouge/scrape, drill or chop mark)
8. Mount removed (located on either the edge or surface of coin)


Awhile back, I took advantage of a "submit 7 and pay for 5" coupon from ANACS and sent this one in. (Heck, I've done stupider things with a $20 bill.)

It's BENT.

Which better explains as to why the obverse appears to be more worn than the reverse. In hand, it sticks out like a sore thumb now.


And it's also VF20 Details. Here's the new photos.

It's better looking now! I like the grade it got. Not too bad?

jbuck, a while ago you posted your coins wouldn't get much money. That's how I feel my collection is. Now remember, I'm collecting because I like them. I sometimes buy common date coins by the way. I don't care if someone said's it's a common date. I didn't buy the coin to sell, I bought to enjoy :)