1909 S indian head HELP!

so I need opinions on:
1. is it real?
2. has it been cleaned?
3. grade?
4. value?

one of my bank tellers found this coin recently!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think we'll need clearer images to say if it's authentic, but it's definitely corroded.

 

The date makes me suspect it might be an altered 1889, with an S added, or an altered 1908-S. The 9s don't match and that 0 is funky.

 

Because of its potential value send it to a TPG.

 

well it's a counterfeit can anyone identify the major mistake here?

 

The date looks off to me.

 

Something to compare with.

 

MM seems out of place too far right.

 

It's an altered 1908-S

 

My eyes hurt.

 

Did you see post #4? I'm not sure I spelled it out. THE DATE on the coin.

 

Man that's a bummer, especially since the 1908 s is still a pretty good date to have.

 

It's a pretty bad fake. The date is so wrong. Probably an altered 1908-S. What a shame because 1908-S is still a semi key.

 

I can't believe no one noticed it. It is not a 1909 S. that would be impossible seeing as it has a type 1 obverse. the last feather on the head dress is between the I and C in America. This coin, if a real coin, would have to have been minted in 1886 or earlier. any indian minted after will have the final feather pointing between the C and A in america

 

Very good Facevalue, instantly tells you it's fake. I have to admit I didn't look at the feathers either, but the date tolded me it was fake. It also tells you it wasn't an altered 1908 S. Look at the upper loop of the 9, nice little round circle. The tops of the 9's on genuine coins don't look like that. Look at the upper loop on the genuine 1909 that Idhair posted large, openings that are NOT round. I think you will find that all the 9's used 1900 - 1909 have that same type opening.

 

yeah the first 9 on my coin gives it away too, just looks like shotty craftsmanship. I think this coin is a Chinese reproduction and not an altered coin