1909 S VDB Grade?

[joel]

This coin was among a cache of wheat cents that my uncle had. It looks to be in fine to very fine condition except for the weak VDB. Does anyone else have an opinion on the grade of this coin? Thanks, Joel

[Magers]

If you sent it in to get it graded, I'm thinking it would come back xf details. It looks like the reverse has an old cleaning.

[liveandievarieties]

I agree with Ryan, XF but cleaned.

[BadThad]

VF25/30. possible old cleaning....well worth the cost of slabbing IMO.

[rlm's cents]

I would guess 35 and it would not surprise me either way with the cleaning. Regardless, I would get it certified. There are all together too many counterfeits out there.

[tokameel]

Congrats on a great find. (if legit)

[grnwavdav]

I would say XF 40.

[GrumpyEd]

Looks nice.
The weak VDB might be the reason someone cleaned the reverse.
I had a similar one. I got it slabbed in a PCGS gen holder and sold it, they didn't mention the VDB being weak on the slab.

[joel]

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and advice. Joel

[BadThad]

Does the reverse actually look like the picture? I ask because sometimes the light can be too strong and cut right through the patin...that will make the coin looked cleaned.

The good news, the MM looks authentic. The MM is exactly what you want to see IMO, notice the die chip in the upper loop of the S. My only worry is the VDB - I don't believe I've ever seen one that weak before. They aure usually strong and bold....it could have been added.

[Maineman750]

. They aure usually strong and bold....it could have been added.

I've got one that is weaker...and slabbed as a "weak VDB". In fact, I bought it as a 1909-S, and didn't see the VDB until I took pictures.....great surprise for me.

[BadThad]

I've got one that is weaker...and slabbed as a "weak VDB". In fact, I bought it as a 1909-S, and didn't see the VDB until I took pictures.....great surprise for me.

Who slabbed it? I seem to recall that coin. Still, it's highly unusual!

[Maineman750]

Who slabbed it? I seem to recall that coin. Still, it's highly unusual!

ANACS...I probably posted it sometime in the past.

[WaterSport]

Many slabbed weak VDB,s out there in Holders other than PCGS and I believe NGC does not designate it either.

WS

[GrumpyEd]

The one I had was also much weaker. You had to tilt it to see anything was there.
It got in a PCGS gen holder for cleaning.

I had offered to sell it cheap because of how weak the VDB was and nobody liked it because in a flip it was almost impossible to see the VDB but in the gen holder it was an easy sell.

I did expect they would note it on the holder but they didn't.