1909-S-VDB - Professional Options For Reversing "Cleaned"

with BadThad on this one, there is really no way for this coin to come back. Once it's cleaned (this coin was obviously dipped in a silver cleaning solution to me) There are ways of darkening the coin again, but nothing that would get a coin past a TPG as a straight grade, and it's unethical to do so. The fastest way of getting the coin to darken is to place it in a paper envelope with a high Sulphur content in the paper. This means finding paper that is older from the 40's to the 60's with still a lot of Sulphur content in it. Modern paper won't cut it. and much of the old paper has lost it's "magical re-toning properties" over time as the Sulphur has degraded. My good friend Ean is an artist and he loves the old papers, inks and paints (leaded and whatnot) so he makes trips every now and again to Mexico looking for them, he said in mid 2000's his sources were dried up and out of all their old stocks. I'd look for old stock that hasn't been opened in decades, but bear in mind it's not easy to find, not like searching on Google is going to help much here. Old albums like the National and Mehrig brands were known for their high Sulphur content, but I've found in almost every single one (albums and coin boards) I've tried, the Sulphur is no longer actively working on the metals in any kind of positive way, it's just too old and not active any more.

wow You and I are in much the same boat as I impulse bought almost the identical same 09 S VDB from a local dealer. I am definitely old enough to know better and have been collecting off and on for about 50 years. Personally, I don't have a problem with cleaned coins, so long as they are not cleaned to death. I am certainly not a professional collector, conservator or any of the above...just an enthusiast. I took my cleaned VDB out of it's carboard holder, set it outside for a couple weeks. It rained and then the sun cooked it. Afterwards, I dug a hole and buried it. After a few months of alternating it's locations...I am very happy with how mine looks now. I have no desire to ever sell it, so it is just for my personal collection that gets passed on to a family member when I am gone. That worked for me.

I look for paper envelopes from the 60's at estate sales.
You'd be surprised how often you can find them. Then seal
and leave for 5-6 years.

If it bothers you a lot sell it for what you can get for it and go find what you really want and consider it another life lesson. Personally, I would not mind owning it as is but I can appreciate your disappointment.