Dads 1909-S VDB

You might want to have an expert look at this coin. Compared to the color of the rest of the coin the S is dark and looks like it might have been added. I seems just a bit odd to me. Grade wise I'd say F-12.

Agreed, the MM looks odd and the reverse wear is not consistent with the obverse. Looking at the reverse I'd say this is VF-30. but on the obverse I don't see any cheek/jaw separation. My best guess with these pictures is F-18.

You really need to have the coin graded by NGC or PCGS, well worth the cost on a 4 figure coin.

I hear what you're saying, but I wouldn't want one of my sons to find out that it wasn't authentic. I'd want to hear the news myself.

It is still a 1909-S V.D.B.
Send it in to SEGS for grading and hold on for the great grandchildren

alright already!...I'll get it slabbed darn it! SHEESH! ;)


Do you guys beat-up all newbies this way...


I've got a couple of places here in town that advertise with the pcgs...I'll have a look at 'em in the upcoming week...


Thanks again for the help...

I'm almost glad that dads collection doesn't have a 1955 double die now...

I'd hate to see what you ppl would do to someone then... :P

Hey Bio that link was cool, thanks!

As far as "beating up" - Theres a story somewhere I read about a guy who spent his whole career collecting valuable coins. True to what he was taught, he was careful to acquire key issues and high grade pieces. His plan was to use the funds for retirement when he went to sell them.

Guess what? 1916-D Merc: Added mm. Gold half eagles: Whizzed. 1909-S VDB: Added mm. High Relief double eagle: Struck counterfeit. Some of his major silver pieces had been dipped. He ended up with a pile of junk. he had taken great care to purchase them from dealers who were very reputable, but so many years had passed that he had no way of getting any recompensation or redress as most had gone out of business or died or moved. Yikes!

There are those of us (like me) who wish that slabs were never invented; at the inception of TPG's there was a huge craze to trade in coins as commodities, and everyone started to buy the slab and not the coin. That didn't last too long but I chellenge you to go find certain coins outside of holders, like Merc dimes, Walking halves and esp. Morgans. I like raw coins, but I only buy them in certain venues.. and still nothing's 100% foolproof.

When you're talking about very expensive key issues like 09-S vdb, you can't take chances with a fake. They are very hard to detect sometimes. There's a thread currently here about fake coins in TPG Slabs --- good lord if they can fool PCGS graders......

Words of wisdom here from the community. I hope it's all good in the end but all of us here have heard horror stories, and we don't want it to happen to you becuase we LOVE you man!

Best

Bruce