1909 S Indian Cent - Real or Fake

MVC · March 26, 2011 10:32AM

I have a 1909 S Indian Head Cent that I need an education on. What makes this coin fake, or authenticate? Here are some pictures. Thanks

fcloud · March 26, 2011 10:48AM

Looks real to me. The S looks correct especially with the woodgrain look of the background going through the S.

DennisH · March 26, 2011 10:49AM

Looks real to me too.

tightbudget · March 26, 2011 11:24AM

The open S and the fact that it seems to "blend" in with the rest of the coin

llafoe · March 26, 2011 11:43AM

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The open S and the fact that it seems to "blend" in with the rest of the coin >>

What he said was what I was going to say...

lkeigwin · March 26, 2011 12:16PM

Looks legit to me.

I'm not really sure about the diagnostics on this coin. You should have it professionally graded.

Here is a 65RB for comparison, FWIW.
Lance.

ThePennyLady · March 26, 2011 1:42PM

I would like to see the full obverse of the coin, since one of the main characteristics I use in authenticating a 1909-S Indian is the first three feathertips, and we can't see them in your images. Here's a LINK that should help with authentication.

There are two important points to remember when trying to authenticate any 1909 S Indian: (1) the first three feathers should NOT have full detail on the upper tips, and (2) on the S, the bottom of the top serif should almost touch curve of the “S” mint mark, and top and bottom serifs should be parallel.

Monstavet · March 26, 2011 1:53PM

Dang, I always learn so much on these boards.

EagleEye · March 26, 2011 2:06PM

Everything Charmy said, plus there are only two reverse dies, and the OP's coin is one of them. The denticle below the left edge of the the S sticks out slightly.