I see the same lamination issue noted above, based on the given photos, it doesn't appear to be damage. A close-up of the MM would go a long way to authentication. If genuine, there will be a die chip in the upper loop of the S.
@BadThad Ok here are a few (hopefully) better photos of the VDB first and then the 09-S. I'm hoping these can seal the deal on authentication and help glean a better insight into grade. Thanks so much for all the help and info so far!
ANACS. Some will talk them down, but for authentication, and circulated coins, they're just as good as any. Go to www.anacs.com and watch for their specials.
Still a little out of focus to tell. You gotta remember they took a Philly cent and made these S' s. Try stabilizing your camera.
You may have to try to get some of the crud out of that upper loop, the die chip is pretty small and "shorter" than the S. It might be obscured. Or, you can just send it to a TPG and let them sort it out. Probably the least expensive route is IGC or ANACS.
That makes me feel a little bit better. Thanks @BadThad I think it is legit and the die chip is under some crud or obscured a bit. Will definitely send it in at some point though. Thanks a bunch! I've been on this site for 3 days and already have learned a ton.
I will say I could get my reverse VDB map to overlay your coin's reverse. But the camera perspective on that image is not square to the coin. Therefore your image creates significant distortion of the design devices from rim to opposite rim. This distortion is not as significant relative to other design aspects when looking at devices the are located in close proximity to each other.
Update: I went to a fairly large coin show today and brought this coin with me. I had a local and very trusted dealer take a look in person at it. He said it was legit and also mentioned the lamination. I then had a top expert from ANACS who was at the show take a look and he also told me it was legit and mentioned the lamination damage. I feel a lot better now after having those 2 look at in person. Thanks to everyone on here for the help and info. Luckily I didn't look like too big of an idiot when talking with them and was able to understand what they were saying. I'll keep it out of a slab for now and in a Dansco until I am ready to sell it. Thanks again!