Is this 1909-S VDB an authentic piece?

airplanenut

Linky

Am I the only one that thinks the S looks wrong, and the rims really weird? I know not to listen to any NTC grade, but I don't think I've ever seen a counterfeit coin in their holders before.

Jeremy

Barberman55

Jeremy,

It's hard to tell, without a real big closeup of the "S" mintmark. The "S" mintmark does appear to be boxy, like that of a real 09-s VDB cent.
A closeup of the mint mark would also show if the telltale notch is in the upper serif, and if the die chip is in the upper loop of the "S".
Sorry I couldn't give you a definitive answer.

millennium

From what I see, and the best I can tell from the pics, it looks ok.

markglicker

S looks a bit off at the bottom and the rims look a bit too sharp. Why is it that often sellers will not mention the TPG in the title, if it isn't one of the big 3?

BuffaloIronTail

Jeremy:

Looks to me like it's the real thing. Sometimes that "short and squat" mintmark tends to look a little funky. A good majority of the added mintmarks to 09-S VDB's are readily discernable because the lower loop of the "S" does not tuck itself back in like the top loop. It angles down a bit and slants away from the center.

On genuine coins, the mintmark is symmetrical, with the lower and upper serifs neatly tucked in to give the look of a box.

I have included a mintmark from a 1914-S Buffalo Nickel for your comparison. It is from the same punch as that which appears on the 09-S VDB.

The mintmark is in the proper position, and rests in a small depression. On the reverse, the V.D.B. is a little weak.

These are all diagnostics of a genuine 1909-S VDB Die #4 Lincoln.

Most of the extant examples of this key date appear with this mintmark position.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Coppernicus

Jeremy - Were you bored when you posted this? I believe there are at least four MM placements on the 09-S-VDB. This one looks OK to me and believe it or not, I trust NTC in their attribution on something like this. I may often disagree with their grading, but I do trust that they could spot a fake one of these. Heck, even I can!!

Mike

P.S. Good luck on the PC auction!! I think it's great that you do this to help others.