Discovery! 1909-S VDB HUGE PICS

So far, according to this thread, which is all that matters the majority seems to feel it is not authentic. Welcome to the majority.

 

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It looks like someone removed and replaced a circular section where most of the date and MM is ?

 

Digitally removed or physically removed? Please elaborate.

I'm slowly working on an eBay guide on 1909-S VDB fake detection. It's still a work in progress, but it might help you determine something about this coin.

 

I think that's a stretch... I think an altered mintmark is possible. It was sent off for authentication last week, so we'll find out in a couple of weeks. The dealer agreed with most of the inspectors here -- he was very suspicious of the mintmark. Even so suspicious he thought submitting it was "throwing my money away." However, it's worth the cash to me to be certain (then watch, I'll get this "questionable authenticity" note and still be uncertain). Will keep you all updated.

 

The mint mark looks like the one mentioned HERE.

Yours:


The counterfeit:


It still looks slanted to the left, also, a sure sign of a fake.

 

just a visual observation

What I should have said was "there is appears to be a dark circle around the area I marked on your photo". When I look at the color , texture & the scratching , both inside and outside of the circular area , it just looks odd.

I am not giving you a professional observation because I am 15 days new to coin collecting.

 

I'm not seeing it. It could be because of the decades I've been collecting coins (my age ).

 

Got both the VDB 1909-S and the 1916-D back from ANACS today... both altered mintmarks. Oh well, back to looking up Morgans and Mercuries.

In the meantime, what are some creative things to do with the fakes?

 

You could start a collection of altered mintmark key dates.

 

That sounds like something I would do. hmmmm...

 

I would keep the coins. Regardless of whether or not they're counterfeits, they still belonged to your great-grandfather. He may have even known they were counterfeits (there are many collectors who collect counterfeits as a hobby). So there is sentimental value attached, regardless. Had the coins been real, would you have sold them or would you have kept them because they belonged you great-grandfather?

Mark the 2x2 as "1909-S VDB COUNTERFEIT. Belonged to Great-Granddad". Then pass it along to your kids.......

 

Well, sorry. At least we warned you on this one.

 

The real things are still out there waiting for you. Sometimes when we ask for something this answer is "yes" , "no" or "not yet"

 

Oh, I'm definitely keeping them in the family (and marking their holder so future folks will know).

I really appreciate the critical eye the folks on this forum gave me. It was nice to be reasonably sure of what I would get back. You guys were right on. Thanks!