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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,444 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Hey! I'm new here and am considering buying a 1909 S VDB Lincoln Wheat penny. While I do collect, I do not trust myself to grade a coin of this value, so that's why I created an account. These are the pictures that were sent to me by the seller. I would guess from the pictures around AU-55 or so? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!   Edited by INTP
05/06/2014 1:53 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Hi INTP, welcome to CCF...  Your picture of the obverse is too blurry to see the mint mark and the reverse pic is too small to get a good look at the VDB. This coin is counterfeited quite a bit so... be careful when you buy it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1295 Posts |
to CCF! We will definitely need better photos to determine whether that 1909-S VDB is genuine. I would not recommend buying un-certified examples of any rare coin; there are too many counterfeits out there. I would also hone your grading skills before buying expensive coins such as this. With rare coins, one grade point off can mean paying $6000 for a $1000 coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Especially if these are the pictures sent to you by the seller, they need to send clearer ones. There are some good sites to help you at least probably verify it's authenticity. Color looks pretty good, but always bothers me a bit if a rare coin isn't already in a slab. Is that a thumb print on the obverse? Keep researching and buy one that you are totally comfortable with.
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Thanks for the input. I will try to meet with the seller and take better pictures.
I am inclined to believe that it is real, as it is part of a lot of over 10,000 wheat pennies, but I am always very thorough, especially when it comes to spending any amount more than about $20.
I also realize that the seller may believe it to be genuine, while it is a counterfeit.
Like I said, I will try to meet with the seller to take pictures, then post them here so I can get some experienced opinions.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8137 Posts |
I would like to verify it's authenticity before I try to grade it. Better pics are needed for that and it will help us give you a more accurate grade.
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Pillar of the Community
Korea, Republic Of
1881 Posts |
I think that this coin is a fake, even from these pictures. A few reasons why: 1) The date position is too low, and the numbers in the date itself are too thin and long. I've seen other fakes of this date/MM that have dates with similar looks. 2) There's something about Lincoln's bust that doesn't look correct. 3) The seller sent you bad-quality photos of the coin. That itself means that the seller is trying to fool you. You can't easily tell a fake from bad pics. If you cannot tell the grade/ authenticity of the coin, I recommend buying it slabbed.  |
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Moderator
 United States
15433 Posts |
Fully concur that those photos are of no assistance to determine authenticity ... let alone grade. You need to insist on accurate, in-focus photos from the seller. In AU (not suggesting this coin is) ... a genuine 1909-S VDB LWC is a $1300 coin. Are you sure that you are comfortable spending that amount of money on a raw coin often counterfeited? David |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19951 Posts |
Blurry pictures, but nonetheless, it appears to be one of the common Chinese fakes.
My advice - DO NOT BUY THIS COIN RAW or even over the web. Go to a good coin show and buy one you can see in hand. And if you're not sure how to authenticate an SVDB, then only buy a slabbed example. There are tons of fakes out there and you don't want to get burned.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
Korea, Republic Of
1881 Posts |
 completely. |
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Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
 please make sure they are clearer |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2368 Posts |
Even if I was 99% sure it was genuine, there is no way I would buy a $1000+ key date that was raw. Don't buy it!  |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,444 |
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Posted 05/06/2014 5:04 pm
