1931 S Cent with issues

I've had this 31 S in an old Whitman folder since the 80s, just picked it back up recently and I can't help but think it's fake from looking at it again. The pitting on the obverse and rim don't look right and the date is slightly off. Looking to get some opinions. It weighs 3.14 g.

 

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I'm inclined to think it's real. Its mass is within 1% of what it should be, and I think the date looks okay. I think a pit formed on the second 1 causing it to look shorter. Nothing really jumps out as "fake" to me. Wait for other opinions though.

 

I'm seeing some casting bubbles. This section would make me think that it is fake.

 

Nice catch. And come to think of it the more I look at it the more the bust is looking "mushy" (or whatever the term is) to me.

 

All I see is (was) corrosion. I would say it is real.

 

You know more about Lincoln cents than I could ever hope to know, but how do you explain the raised bumps? Seems fishy to me.

 

That is what happens when you put it in water for a long time.

 

I'll vote it's real. Corrosion for sure and someone did a good job of cleaning it up.

 

Thanks all, good to know it's not a fake.

 

The obverse is corroded, but looks real.

The reverse has active corrosion on it. Remove that green death as soon as possible, or the problem will get worse. There will be pits to match the obverse, but please stabilize it.

 

Planning on it, going to see what I can do with distilled water first. I need to get it into an airtite and out of the folder its in.