I recently had this 1914-D come into my possession. Despite owning more expensive coins this is my first time delving into the world of raw 14-Ds. The "skin" of the coin looks original for most cents I've seen from the teens. Nothing strikes me as off about the strike or date. However, I am having some trouble with the mintmark. Nothing really strikes me out of the ordinary, it has the same color has the cent. I'm just having a hard time finding the right mint location in junction with the known ones. My research produced six known locations, all of which are in relatively close position. The bowl of the D seems to slant away from the date, but not heavily enough to distinguish it from some of the other mint positions. (sorry about the fuzz, I didn't notice it until I was back on my computer) Top that off with F wear and it has become difficult for me to authenticate it, even overlaying this collage in Photoshop. It seems close but not close enough to any of them. Is there anything here that strikes someone as an added 'D'? Or am I worrying too much over a ~$200 cent?
That was my initial reaction but overlaying them in Photoshop has #4 trending further right than mine. Going off of mintmark shape I prefer #1. On position I think it sits better with #3.
The mint marks were hand stamped on to the coins in 1914. No two will be identical but they will be close. The bottom left mint mark looks close to me. The coin and the mint mark look good to me.
I hear ya, gotta figure the wear and flattening of the devices, too me nothing stands out as an added MM.
Of course , photos will never take the place of a good stereo microscope. The triangular discoloration on the top on the top of the D does bother me as I know the craftsmanship of some in the past was excellent. If my situation, I would send it off to ICG first to see what insider thought. he has a good eye and experience to give an opinion, or maybe he will pop in @Insider . Jim
Looks legit. If not, it's the finest/cleanest job...without other evidence of adding/forging...that I've ever seen. You should be good.
It just gets tougher... Collecting Nut, posted: "...No two will be identical [unless on a coin struck from the same die] but they will be close." "The coin and the mint mark look good to me." I agree, the center of the "D" is the correct shape.
Every fake I have seen (3) has a dark shadow around the mintmark showing chemical reaction to the glue I am guessing. Yours has nothing of that nature.