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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,110 |
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
UPDATE: I'm posting some updated photos with a much better camera -- here they are:    ________________ Hi everyone, I'm new here -- just joined this past weekend -- and finally today, after 35 years, I went back into my safety deposit box in order to look at my old coin collection from high school. I'm very curious for feedback on various coins (especially since some of the coins have some nice (I think) toning, and I'm curious what your impressions are as to whether the toning is anything special). Folks told me to post my coins into the relevant sub-forums, so I picked out my best (I think) ones and will be posting them accordingly. Belwo is my 1909-S VDB, which I'm assuming is the best coin I have. I apologize for the dust on the coin - it's been in a plastic sleeve all these years, and I'm going to buy a camera lens duster to blow the dust off it, and my other coins, so I can do make some better photos. So here is my 1909-S VDB. I have no idea what grade it is, so would appreciate any feedback. (I have no intent of selling it -- in fact, I want to frame it (or otherwise display it) -- but am curious of its value). Thanks.   Edited by jakesis
01/13/2015 3:01 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
OK, so you found the forum  I'll say at least XF40, the reverse is crisp. It might be worth having this one graded by a TPG, and have it conserved. As someone mentioned on another thread, there might be some verdigris starting. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Looks like a nice SVDB, it looks to be authentic but better pictures and close-up of the date/MM and VDB are required to be sure. It does look to have some very light verdigris which could be easily conserved. For you, I'd recommend sending this to either PCGS or NGC for conservation and grading.
AU-55
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Moderator
 United States
15396 Posts |
Pleased to view this coin in the appropriate forum ... glad that you found us here. One of the potential dangers of this forum is that 'experts' with a high post count might be construed as 'experts' in subjects beyond their expertise. Ignore my post count ... I have a passing knowledge on how to authenticate this coin ... The following comments are based on some expertise ... assuming the coin is authentic. Likely grades XF40/45 ... the spots and dust are easily confused with the beginnings of bronze coin disease ... if truly on the surfaces as green spots then this coin requires conservation. Valuable and sought after example ... concur with the advise above that it should be viewed by a TPG for grading. This is a coin that alas few will purchase raw ... way too many counterfeit example out there. David |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1566 Posts |
Close ups of the S are really needed to authenticate properly. Photos with better lighting would help too. I would definitely consider having this slabbed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Need the closeup pictures of the date/mm and the VDB as previously stated.
XF40 - cheeks are a little flat for 45. Reverse is nice.
NICE looking S VDB!!
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Valued Member
 United States
143 Posts |
I've uploaded what may be some better photos, including closer shots of the date and the VDB (what is the MM?). I need to borrow a good SLR and get better close-ups. (And I'm not looking to sell this, but I still would like to know if it's real, and preserve it.) So, how do I go about fixing the Verdigris, assuming the coin is real? And do I do that before I send it in to be graded? And, I'm rather new here. I've rather that one of the grading services tends to be more trusted than the other, is that the case? And how do I actually go about getting the coin graded -- do I have to go to a dealer first? Thanks everyone. PS I'm a pretty decent photographer, but know nothing about coin photography. What's the best way to photograph coins -- any tips as to how to take a better photo?       Edited by jakesis
01/12/2015 9:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
506 Posts |
1. The MM is the mint mark, which is the S on your coin 2. The 2 most respected grading companies are PCGS (www.pcgs.com) and NGC (www.ngccoin.com). It is a matter of debate which is better or more respected. Coins from PCGS are usually known to go for more than coins from NGC at the same grade because PCGS is believed to grade more conservatively. Cost-wise, NGC may be better. If you join the ANA (money.org), you gain submission privillages to NGC starting at $28 while PCGS membership starts at $69. Also, NGC's submission rates are cheaper. Another option would be to take it to a dealer who is a member of one of those grading companies (both have tools on their website to find a dealer near you). That would save you membership fees and maybe some submission fees because dealers usually get discounted fees. 3. I would suggest getting an expert (such as one of the grading companies) to conserve the coin, although I am by-far not an expert at what it would take to conserve this coin. Both the grading companies I have mentioned have conservation services (NCS is a division of NGC that handles conservations) ( http://www.pcgs.com/restoration and http://www.ncscoin.com/?webSyncID=0...wNTY0NTA3S0)I hope all this information helps. I wish you luck with this coin and the rest of your collection. Edit: I cannot comment on the authenticity or condition of the coin. I would suggest hearing comments from other people on this forum before submitting this coin. Edited by coinlover168
01/12/2015 11:56 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
It looks authentic to me, EF-40
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
New pics make it look totally different, VF-35.
Since you got the dust off, the verdigris I thought I was seeing is gone. I would submit it to PCGS as is.
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
Am I correct in thinking that the original pictures (the ones with the dust) are the best indication of how the coin looks in hand? If so, I find it to be a thoroughly pleasing circulated example that I'll say would sneak into XF-40 territory. I think you have a really, really nice coin there. Your mentor steered you in the right direction.
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
Thanks OneBowl :) Well, the original pictures were shot with my dad's under-$100 camera that was far too automatic for my tastes. The newer photos are with my nephew's better camera, so I was able to get a sharper image. I was getting mixed signals from folks on whether this had verdigris that needed to be fixed before I sent it off to be graded. Any sense now that I have better photos up?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18645 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
In this case, I'd say a high post count and expertise go hand in hand...BadThad said submit "as is."
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
Okay, deal :) And good point :)
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,110 |
Posted 01/12/2015 7:26 pm
