09-S VDB - Authentication Exercise
Connecticoin
Posts: 13,143 ✭✭✭✭✭
Would like to know what you think about the authenticity of the 1909-S VDB cent in the ebay auction linked below.
At first blush, the coin looks genuine - it even has the “shallow N” in “UNITED” on the reverse. However, I suspect it is an added mintmark - it actually looks pretty good, but the lower part of the “S” appears wider than the upper part, whereas a genuine “S” is of uniform width as far as I can tell. Also, the mintmark appears tilted, and I cannot find any images of a genuine coin with the mintmark tilted in that position.
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A raw coin from a seller with only a 10 feedback. What could go wrong?
It would appear that the tilt of the coin pic may make the mm look slanted. The mm position looks most like position #3 in the link below, but the mm, as you state, doesn't appear uniform like it should.
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5217/Counterfeit-1909-S-VDB-Lincoln-Cents/
Nevertheless, it would be a hard pass for me in that the seller doesn't accept returns, seller only has 10 transactions and the cent is raw.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
Lousy photos--Strike one
Only ten sales--Strike two
No returns--Strike three
I think it's legit.
It looks ok (genuine) but the pictures are too fuzzy to have much confidence in that assessment.
I should have posted just the pics. That way there would be no bias from who is selling it.
Taking all factors into consideration is a good thing. Good luck. Peace Roy
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It’s authentic. On the SVDB the middle period on the initials is centered. On the Philadelphia mint issues, the period is very close to the V, not centered. This is the way to tell if the MM has been added. Not so on this coin, it’s authentic.
Agree... looks authentic to me too, but... the first thing I'd likely do is want it to be authenticated. That's an added expense. Also, whereas the images make the coin appear to have pleasant toning, this might not be the case with "coin in hand"... ie, there's no guarantee that it will straight-grade. Bidding is already over $700... for me, it's worth it to spend a little more and get a specimen that's already slabbed.
This... coupled with no returns and a "10" feedback... = no way...
edited to add: This is the one I bought this past summer... now in my Box of 20
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That one appears to have the same tilt and position as the ebay coin. I am still suspicious of the shape of the mintmark on the ebay coin but perhaps the images are playing tricks with my eyes. The auction closed for $900 which would be a good deal if genuine - looks XF45 or so.