Error Other | No VDB?

[Oldiebutagoodie]

I was in a coin shop recently and saw a 1989 no VDB for sale. I didn't realize there was such an error... So I've been looking closer for such an oddity.
Today I found this one.
So I was thinking that most would be from wear if they don't show.
Do you think that is the case with this cent?
The obverse does have wear. I was also thinking maybe a light strike?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about these types of errors. Thank you!

....after taking the pic I can see now maybe possible traces of the letters. Probably just worn?

[jfines69]

Looks like just the top 1/4 or less of the letters... Looks to be from heavy die wear... I see lots of die flow lines between the bottom of the bust and rim... Also the bust appears to be really shallow... Can you show a full obv pic???

[willbrooks]

Die wear would be the most likely culprit. Any chance you can get a full coin shot?

[Oldiebutagoodie]

Added the obverse pic.
Yeah I can barely see a remnant of some letters.
And agree the bust does look a bit shallow.
Thanks for looking!

[GrumpyEd]

Was the 1989 you saw in a slab?

I saw they had several in a shop that were 1989 slabbed and labeled "NO VDB" . They were in those funky old "Photograde" slabs from the 80s. So they were slabbing them.
Other years have them, not really a winner.

[Oldiebutagoodie]

Yes GrumpyEd I do believe your right.... I think it was older stabbed. Yup

[jfines69]

Thanks for the full obv... The die does look heavily used!!!

[Frank]

Here's a slabbed one up on the Bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-P-LINCO...0AAOSwf05XPGXE

[jfines69]

I see what appears to be remnants of the VDB... Not much there but still is there... Wonder who did the slab since there is no logo on it... Must have been the person selling it???

[Oldiebutagoodie]

Yes now I'm seeing it too in the pics... Funny how I can't see something on a coin till I take a pic of it. Guess it's the way the light catches it and the capability of zooming in better?
Has the no VDB on some coins been debunked?
I got my hands on an old oddity book recently... It's from 1963. I was curious to how many errors have been debunked over the years such as machine doubling or die deterioration doubling.

[jfines69]

I know the 1909 VDB is a legit since congress made them take it off... The light intensity and angle can make a bid difference on what is visible or not... I know that some RPMs and DDs have been debunked but do not remember which ones... Some of the pros here know... Just post a question about it or do a search... There have been many discussions on the subject!!!

[GrumpyEd]

Wonder who did the slab since there is no logo on it... Must have been the person selling it???

It's a good slab, not a self slab.
It's an older pretty well respected one from ANACs that often have pretty correct grades and sometimes cross well to PCGS or NGC. I think in general more respected than their grading in the later bigger blue or gold slabs that easily open if you twist them. It's sort of mid version of what is considered their small slabs, the earlier ones were slightly smaller with no barcode and shorter numbers (ANA versions) then they had the slightly bigger (ANACS versions) ones like this with no barcode then this type with barcodes then a slightly different version then they went to the blue easy crack open jobs then the gold ones.

Look close, it does say ANACS in light green on the label and most had a reflective logo on the reverse label.

[GrumpyEd]

I know the 1909 VDB is a legit since congress made them take it off.

The 1910-11-12-13-14-15-16-17 also have no VDB, then they started putting it on the shoulder on the 1918 cents.

These other missing VDBs on the shoulder from 1918 and beyond are probably all either die polishing or die wear or strike related. It can't be filled since it's raised on the die and incuse on the coin. Sort of like missing FGs, certain years had dies were it got messed up but probably none were made without it.

[jfines69]

Thanks Ed... I appreciate the info!!!

[Oldiebutagoodie]

Thank you!!! I had no idea!!! So much to learn here! You all are awesome!