1909 S Penny Severely Corroded. Does It Have A VDB?

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Author	Replies: 38 / Views: 3,393	Page: of 3
CRHunting Valued Member United States 172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 2:47 pm Hey Everyone! As the title states I have this 1909 S penny that's severely corroded. It's hard to tell but it looks like you can almost make out a VDB. I know your mind tends to play tricks with you in these types of situations so my guess is I'm simply seeing things. That said, I thought it was important enough to get other opinions. Thanks for your help! Report this Post to the Staff

Dearborn Moderator United States 96674 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 2:55 pm I'm not seeing any VDB here, just corrosion. Maybe you can give the coin a acetone soak over night to see if some of that comes off. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
coop Bedrock of the Community United States 62064 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:09 pm Do not rub the coin. Pat dry. (I'm thinking that this will not come off on the green areas) Been stored near water at sometime. Report this Post to the Staff
nss-52 Moderator United States 54282 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:13 pm I believe it IS a 1909-S VDB. The mint mark is in genuine position 4. Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here) See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) Report this Post to the Staff
mcshilling Pillar of the Community Canada 9162 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:14 pm I agree it needs an acetone bath and do what coop said pat dry that is a $$$ coin. Report this Post to the Staff
CRHunting Valued Member United States 172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:15 pm Yeah I was thinking if the community thought this was a VDB then I'd send it to one of the grading companies and purchase the restoration option to see if there were any improvements they could make before authenticating. I have 100% acetone that I can soak it in to see if that helps. It's the V and the top left portion of the D that I thought looked potentially promising. Here's where I thought I was seeing the letters as a reference: Report this Post to the Staff
CRHunting Valued Member United States 172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:24 pm Thanks for all the input! Honestly this one might not be mine for long. I have a local coin dealer who is incredibly nice. The other day while I was looking through his wheat pennies he handed me an older Whitman album with a handful of coins still in it and said I could have it for free. I believe it was from a collection he had just purchased and he wasn't going to resell the album. This coin happened to be in the 1909 S slot which by itself I couldn't believe he was just giving away but he thought selling such a corroded coin would be difficult and he knew it was one I still needed. Super, super nice guy. Anyway, I will bring this coin back to him since I can't in good conscience keep a 1909 S VDB that he gave me for free thinking it was only a 1909 S. Either way...if it is, still such a cool find! Report this Post to the Staff
ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19177 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:31 pm Try the long acetone soak--might mitigate some (only some) of the crud. Share some post soak pics if you have a mind to. I'm trying to resist the seduction of Pareidolia. Report this Post to the Staff
nss-52 Moderator United States 54282 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 3:43 pm I don't think there is much they can do to improve this particular coin. Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here) See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) Report this Post to the Staff
CRHunting Valued Member United States 172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 4:16 pm Here's a close-up of the date and mint mark. It does appear to match position #4. The mint mark also appears to have the small raised dot inside of the top curve of the S so if nothing else the coin appears to be genuine and not counterfeited. Report this Post to the Staff
jasper62 Pillar of the Community United States 2189 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 4:21 pm Sorry to be the odd one in the boat but I'm just not seeing V.D.B If it was there it looks like it was scraped off completely. Edited by jasper62 07/21/2022 4:22 pm Report this Post to the Staff
nick10 Pillar of the Community United States 3207 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 4:30 pm I think it's a VDB, nice find even if in rough shape. Report this Post to the Staff
CRHunting Valued Member United States 172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 4:37 pm I was still on the fence until I saw nss-52's post. In that comparison you can definitely see the bottom half of the B which has a very unique shape. That along with the mint mark position has moved me into feeling fairly confident that it's a legitimate S VDB. Report this Post to the Staff
nfine Pillar of the Community United States 3472 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 4:41 pm Quote: I have 100% acetone that I can soak it in to see if that helps. Please do give it a soak and share the results. Fingers crossed the VDB shows itself! Report this Post to the Staff
T-BOP Rest in Peace United States 18456 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 4:44 pm Ok the coin is toast anyway you look at it . Even if you can determine a VDB on the reverse how much can it possibly be worth ? I would agree to the acetone soak ( 24 hours ) ,if nothing then use a tooth brush with a mild toothpaste and a little water and lightly go over that area . Just don't tell Coop I condoned that Method . Report this Post to the Staff
CRHunting Valued Member United States 172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2022 5:09 pm That was my thought too but then I looked at sold listings on ebay. Even completely destroyed examples are selling for $100-$500. If it's verified by a grading service then in even the most battered condition, they are going for $500+. Here's one example that looks like it took a ride in a lawn mower that sold for $522 with $42 bids: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165580162627 Regardless, I'm bringing it back to the coin dealer today. It will be his call what he'd like to do with it. Report this Post to the Staff
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