You Vs PCGS ... 1909-S VDB LWC

I'll guess MS-65 red.

Thoughts:

MS-65

I'm in awe!

I was agreeing with badthad at 66RD.

Thanks for all the input so far ... this coin in MS is indeed a joy to behold.




Indeed it does ... such is the challenge of putting away this coin.

Will post the PCGS slab tomorrow evening ... any more opinions out there?

David

I'm going with BadThad MS65-66 RD.

I'm torn between MS 65 and 66 RD (normally, I'd go straight 65, but given the year/mint mark, this one is a tremendous example and might grade a bit higher due to scarcity).

That said, I'll go MS 65 RD. By the way, I'm hereby offering my authentication service to you for free. By authentication service, I mean send me the coin for holding purposes. Just for a bit, really. I'll send it back, really. Actually, I won't.

What a beautiful coin! Holy Cow. The Holy Grail of Lincolns, and in that condition? Just wow.

Had you posted anonymously, I would have guessed MS 64RD (I personally find high grade LWCs tough). With the full disclosure, I'm going with MS 65RD with a green bean, or more likely, a 66. Stunning coin. Thank you for sharing. Seeing examples like this that I could only dream of owning is perhaps my favorite aspect of participating in this forum.

When the grade is posted, I would love to hear why it achieved that lofty status as opposed to a notch or two below. Thanks again.

As promised .... the PCGS results.

Thanks to all who provided comments ... your friendly and expert input is what makes this the greatest of all coin forums.

I clearly recognize that grading coins by photograph is difficult when viewing professional photos ... hence I am amazed that the CCF consensus was quite on the mark when viewing this coin with my amateur photos.

You all did well.

1909-S VDB LWC - PCGS MS65RB/CAC



I've always been a fan of the side-by-side view ... not good for grading purposes but a fun presentation of the coin.

In the PCGS slab:



The CAC beanie suggests that this coin is 'solid' for the grade ... I agree as it could have achieved a RD designation or at a minimum a MS65+ grade.

We could have a debate about the PCGS use of the RB versus RD designation ... and truly at this grade point for this coin it means quite a bit of money.

With the coin in hand I see no obvious reason for the RB designation ... the coin has no tendency towards darker surfaces ... and trust that the cartwheel is simply amazing.

Great fun to have such a coin ... I promise to cherish it during my time ... and someday pass along to the next generation of collectors.

Enjoy

David