On eBay, at the moment, there is a listing for eight (yep, 8) 1909-S VDB cednts. On looking at the photos of the reverse, I noticed that there is a die crack (at about the 8 o'clock position), and it is on every single one. Here is a sample eBay item #320470312192 Are there any known diagnostics of real/fake coins based on such a die crack?
Here's the auction: 8 X 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent+3 french silver coins - eBay (item 320470312192 end time Jan-13-10 10:40:17 PST) The first thing is the S mint mark isn't right (There are only 4 genuine S positions). Second, I don't believe a die crack like that has been mentioned with the '09-S. (Plus all 8 have the exact same crack). And of course the seller has 75% feedback with only 2 auctions. He's located outside the U.S, and he just happens to be selling 8 '09 S vdb (s) at once. Lol, definitely stay far away. *Also the rims don't look right, and every coin has the same rim.
When you look at the backs of the coins in the individual photos, there's only two different coins. One has a horizontal scratch over the N and the other has a dark spot just above the base of the left wheat stalk. I'd pass.
Looks like the deep-cut "N" to me which would mean not an S-VDB. 'Course my eyes and my monitor have been wrong before.
It appears to me to be the right "N", but the wrong wheat tips and the wrong "S". I am pretty sure they are all counterfeit.
