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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,101 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
Another coincommunity member is asking my opinion and advise on the purchase of "the king", an 09-S VDB. I told the person I think it's a good buy, but I would also ask for other opinions. Here is the complete text of my reply, along with pictures of the coin. Note: The seller did claim the VDB is bold and prominent, but for some reason it doesn't come out in the pictures. Here's the pictures and followed by my reply in block quotes. Please be brutally honest if you agree with my assessment. Thanks!   quote:
OK,
I'm going to give you MY opinion if it was me, and go into greater detail.
Overall I do think $1150 is a (at worst) a good price for the coin. I would even say it borders on being a very good price. I personally would take it.
First I'm going to give you (my) personal opinion on the overall eye appeal and quality for the grade.
Second (with your permission) I'll post pictures of the coin on coincommunity along with this email, but I'll leave out your identity. I think that's a good idea because to ME the overall desirability of a coin, including eye appeal is important. On such a major purchase having a desirable, quality example will pay off later on. I personally may like the eye appeal, but many others may not. On a $100 coin, who cares. On a $1000+ coin it's good to get lots of opinions.
OK, my take:
I would consider the obverse to be above average, but not spectacular for an XF-45. The details on old Abe are quite nice, and I really like the multi-tone effects in the field. It blends almost like those backgrounds they use for portrait photography, darker on the borders and lighter toward the center. Almost like brush strokes. It helps camouflage the few carbon spots that are present. It's very hard to find 09 Lincolns without some blemishes, and better to have them on a coin like this instead of one with otherwise even color.
I would consider the reverse to be slightly below average, but certainly not terrible. The details are nice with fully struck wheats. It has the same multi-tone effect, but the dark colors have become more prominent- and have taken over much of the wheat stocks and letters. A big question though... WHERE IS THE VDB? It's PCGS certified so I assume it's there, weakly stuck and not visible in the photo beneath the dark toning.
Considering the obverse and reverse I would call it an average EF example, well worth $1150 in a PCGS holder.
Edited by USArmyParatrooper
10/12/2007 2:28 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
Just my 2 cents,
I like the cent! I think Abe is nicely struck, the beard looks nice and the hair shows nice detail. There is the small hit on his face but it is not distracting. The reverse is not bad, full wheats, no major hits. Color overall is nice IMHO. I would pay 1,150 for it, in fact mine is the same grade as this one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
I can't add no real incite into this, but I like the look of this cent.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
Here is the coin with some adjusting and I do see something there but I don't know if it is a VDB or not but something is there. the coin looks like it is encapsulated what is the grade? Gary  Edited by garylcsr
10/12/2007 12:48 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1283 Posts |
Gary, did you take the same picture and lighten it?
It's a PCGS EF-45 and offer is $1150.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
yes that is your friends coin I just adjusted the photo you have. I would think though that if it is PCGS and the slab is tight as it should be that it is what they say it is. but if the slab looks anyway tampered with I would either return it or not bid on it. the price is not bad for an EF but if you like me you just dream that you was there when they came out. lol I wasn't and I don't have mine yet and may never have one but I do like to dream lol
Gary
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Valued Member
United States
144 Posts |
Para, I agree with your assesment on all points. It might be just a tad dark and splotchy for my taste, but that's always hard to judge from slab photos. I think that's a very good coin for the price in the current market.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I too think the price is in line but nothing spectacular either. As already noted I'd really check that slab carefully. Very possible that a slab can be opened and a coin replaced. It does appear that the VDB is there but very weak or worn. I am suspicious of how the VDB is worn more than the rest of the reverse. I'd really check out that slab.
At a coin show a dealer I know pretty well showed me a slabbed coin and asked me if I saw anything wront. The coin in the slab was not only completely the wrong denomination but a completely differnt grade. The slab did not look tampered with. He told me he did that as a joke just to prove to people it could be done.
If I were purchasing that coin I'd want to use the stongest magnifying glass or small microscope to see if the VDB was really there.
PS: Trooper you just got to take better photos.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
Thanks for your feedback, guys. The person decided not to go with it.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,101 |
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Posted 10/11/2007 10:35 pm
