1909-S real S?

[KurtS]

I once saw a fake 1909-S VDB which used the mint mark from 1928, which is unique to that year--and very recognizable!

I'm not much of a LWC expert--so what period does this mm come from? Is it the 1917-41 style?

[eagames]

I don't think it's right for any year. Maybe the style has been used but the size and bulk is wrong.

I remember many years ago talking to a fun old time dealer "Vans Coins" who had a shop on Apache Trail/Main St in Mesa Az.... He was telling me that long ago an outfit sold sheets of copper that were acid etched mintmarks for adding. They were like the etched sheets they sell for adding details to models. It comes like a tree and the individual mintmarks can be cut loose and glued on. I've seen so many added ones with the style and size on this 09-S so I think they came from that source.

If anyone knew that dealer he was a fun guy to chat with. He hated post 1964 coins and wouldn't sell them.

[MorgansRmine]

Here is an 09S that my retired dealer gave me a couple of years ago. Even a pure beginner should be able to spot this one.

[eagames]

I think that coin is fake not just the S

(judging from the shape of the 9s)

[Dick]

something like a 1999-s, witjh some "TLC, in the garage?

Dick

[GarryN]

Also, another diagnostic on the 1909 S VDB is the VDB. The middle line on the B slants downward from right to left. The B in the 1909 Philly version is straight across. You can see that in the two photos above.

This is one example of how brilliant these Mint employees were. There is no way that could have anticipated the efforts made decades later to counterfeit coins, but they still put in these little differences for whatever reason. Boggles the mind.

[KurtS]

Just for your amusement, I found the pic showing an S taken from a 1928-S Lincoln to fake a 1909-S VDB. Subtle, isn't it?

[GarryN]

Another thing about the mint mark on the S-VDB, all examples have a die chip, or lump inside the upper serif.

[coppercoins]

The first coin posted in this thread that was the original reason for the thread is 100% guaranteed an added mintmark coin. No chance it's an original 1909S VDB. Sorry.