AARRRGGGGG!! Dang it!

I've been working on my Lincoln Cent collection since I was 8 years old. Just turned 62. Do the math. I thought I knew a little about coins, especially Lincolns, but.... and I'm almost ashamed to tell this! While updating a coin in my Lincoln album, I noticed I had the Cherrypickers' Guide out and thought "I'll check for errors" Got out my trusty loupe and began to search. Nope...nope...nope...etc. Got to my nice 1911 S and noticed a series of scratches around the date. Hmm? Upon closer inspection, I believe its a DANG FAKE! I think someone removed part of the 4 on a 1941 S. They also attempted to remove the VDB from the shoulder. Now that I look at it, it seems as plain as day. Wonder how long I've had this POS? Why have I never noticed it before? Oh well--Here's the pics.

Anyone want to buy a nice 1911 S Lincoln cent...cheap?

 

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That's a valuable lesson you learned. If you know what to look for you can tell at a glance the coin is an altered 1941-S. For one thing, the spacing between the 9 and the second 1 is too large. (It was the correct spacing for a 4 but not for a skinny 1.
Also, Lincoln Cents did not have VDB on the obverse until 1918 so if the bust has VDB (or if there is evidence the VDB was removed from the bust) the coin must have been struck in 1918 or later.

 

Dont be embarrassed....thanks for sharing you might have just saved someones skin!

 

ouch...well we all have these SOL moments in this type of collecting

 

That stinks! Can't hold yourself accountable for what you collected as a kid though. Bet you didn't have a loop as a kid so it's easy to see how it could happen. My condolences.

 

That sucks! A fair amount of money to lose on a lincoln... But thats how we learn!

 

Don't be ashamed, you're better to post it and get it off your chest. We've all been there in one way or another! Misery loves company!

 

Happens to all of us. I have had worse.

 

Takes a brave guy to post and admit to a mistake in past times. I commend you for posting this as an example of what to look for when purchasing such a coin. Sharing and education is what this forum is all about......

 

+1 Ill say this, everything I know about coins has pretty much been from this site! If someone takes the time (like I did this summer ) to absorb the info you can blow your local dealer out of the world. I love how I can go in the shops 45+ minutes away and they will try to school me. I stay modest but inside Im laughing. I am most definitely glad I found this site!

 

In retrospect it is funny. I guess one of the reasons I never checked for that type of thing in the past is that I just wouldn't think anyone would go to the trouble to fake an 11 S. 14 D,09 S VDB, 22 plain, sure. But an 11S? Betcha the next one I get not gonna slip by me so easily! Thanks guys.

 

Boy what a kick in the pants!!

 

Yep it happens to the best of us! I appreciate that you shared the story, that's the way we learn. :thumb:

 

Concur with other posts. Altough you may have made a mistake, you've helped others to avoid that same mistake by sharing your experience. Thanks for the post!

 

Yes that stinks, but look on the bright side, you've opened alot of eyes...

 

This thread opened my eyes quite a bit! Now I'm gonna go thru my lincolns. Thanks for sharing the story, sorry that it happened to you or anyone else for that matter.

 

The mintmark style is also wrong for the 1911-S. The 11-S has the same mintmark style as seen on the 1909-S, compact with parallel sides and the serifs are straight up and down and a small chip in the upper loop. This one has the tall open loop style seen in the 1940's.

 

You can still easily see the outline of the 4 there?

 

Yep--but believe me--in hand without a loupe its not noticeable at all.

 

It could have been worse:

The extra space is the key between the digits.