Almost got swindled: 1909 S VDB

[thecrazyone]

A local seller had this coin avail for sale. Images looked pretty legit.

I did a last minute check online and found a link showing examples of where ppl have modded these coins and I was like holy crap!!! Quickly said thx but no thx!

[galenrog]

Yes, there are many 1909 cents that have been modified to closely resemble the 1909 S VDB. You have not presented any evidence that the particular coin you were considering is one of those. Without such evidence, I fail to understand how you were almost swindled. Please elaborate.

Time for more coffee.

[thecrazyone]

I don't have a way to post pics here unfortunately, but the S on the front didn't look right, and on the back, the VDB wasn't level in a line. The D dropped lower.

[Thogey]

Good catch. Good job.

[NDFarmer]

The same thing just happened to me. I found a 1914-D. I couldn't believe my eyes. I put it in a 2X2 an set it aside. But something about it didn't look quite right. So every once in awhile I would take a look at it and it just didn't look right. And then it hit me. It is an altered 1944-D. Someone took a 44-D and ground down the 4 to make it look like a 1. The thing that fooled me was there are NO grind marks where the front part of the 4 used to be. They did an excellent job.

[thecrazyone]

The same person is also trying to sell a 1901-S quarter that also looks fake to me.

Wondering if I should report them.

[galenrog]

Thank you for the description. Now I agree with your assessment of the the coin being suspect. Is the seller local to you, or using one of the online platforms?

Past time for more coffee.

[misteroman]

The same person is also trying to sell a 1901-S quarter that also looks fake to me.

Wondering if I should report them.

Set up a buy with the cops. I would think they would have to buy at least 2 or so to make a strong case. Anyone could have a fake coin but what would the odds be of having numerous fake key dates....
D

[thecrazyone]

Thanks guys he's about an hour away from me and on top of that yes I could not agree more with the rare scenario that somebody would have those two coins readily available for sale.

[Recyclersteve]

Saturday I bought a 1909-S-VDB at a coin show that ended up being a fake. Fortunately I bought it knowing that and only spent $3 on the coin.

I have to admit that it was a pretty good quality fake. And, no, the seller wasn't deceitful at all. He also sold me a nice looking 1877 Indian Head cent and a 1793 Chain large cent for the same price. I keep them as decoys for the bad guys and have no plans on selling them.

[thecrazyone]

Saturday I bought a 1909-S-VDB at a coin show that ended up being a fake. Fortunately I bought it knowing that and only spent $3 on the coin.

I have to admit that it was a pretty good quality fake. And, no, the seller wasn't deceitful at all. He also sold me a nice looking 1877 Indian Head cent and a 1793 Chain large cent for the same price. I keep them as decoys for the bad guys and have no plans on selling them.

So did the guy actually say he thought it was fake?

[Recyclersteve]

Saturday I bought a 1909-S-VDB at a coin show that ended up being a fake. Fortunately I bought it knowing that and only spent $3 on the coin.

I have to admit that it was a pretty good quality fake. And, no, the seller wasn't deceitful at all. He also sold me a nice looking 1877 Indian Head cent and a 1793 Chain large cent for the same price. I keep them as decoys for the bad guys and have no plans on selling them.

So did the guy actually say he thought it was fake?

Yes, and they were his only coins sitting loose on the table instead of being locked in the display case.