1916-S Walker, Question of Authenticity

78750Aggie

I purchased this coin a couple of years ago because, at the time, I was interested in low mintage coins. I didn’t pay a lot for the coin and stuck it away in the safe. Going through the coins today I review this one again and didn’t remember it being so hammered.

In reading about counterfeit detection a few months ago I remember that cast counterfeit copies have granular surfaces. Does this coin appear to have the granular surface I read about? Do you believe it to be authentic? Are there opinions on the cause of the five vertical lines at 11:30, just to the left of the F on the obverse?

I’ve checked the edges appear solid and have smooth reeding and the weight is 12.45 grams (very close to the 12.50 specified in the Red Book).

Aggie

sinin1

when they talk granular surfaces, they are meaning bumps that are raised above the field and devices that should not be present on a coin made by the US Mint


your coin looks fine, the digs and nicks are part of a rough life your coin must have had

it is also possibly a little corroded with the periodic pockets seen throughout

DennisH

Looks like a genuine baggy VF to me.

TomB

It looks like a real 1916, but the area around the mintmark might or might not indicate that the S was added.

kaz

It looks genuine to me, just had a rough life! The granularity or porosity of fakes has a much finer grain to it, and is pretty uniform.

21Walker

Don't sweat that one..................Rick

78750Aggie

I appreciate ALL the comments and feedback, but I was hoping 21Walker would see the thread and provide an opinion. Thanks Rick

Aggie

TwoSides2aCoin

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Walkerguy21D

Agree with all the other comments so far - it looks genuine to me, and the 'S' is Ok also.

PS - you will also see fine granular surfaces on all the 1916's, and a good number of the 1917 issues, graded XF and above. They were struck with a matte-like finish.