Jerry Lawson Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Just purchased a 1909-s/vdb lincoln head cent and was going to resell coin. Was told it was counterfit. That the S mint mark had been added. I have looked at this coin from every angle with a jewelers loop and see nothing resembling a added S to this coin. My question is can a mint mark be added and be unnoticible?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Just purchased a 1909-s/vdb lincoln head cent and was going to resell coin. Was told it was counterfit. That the S mint mark had been added. I have looked at this coin from every angle with a jewelers loop and see nothing resembling a added S to this coin. My question is can a mint mark be added and be unnoticible?? My condolences if you did, in fact, buy a counterfit under the impression it was genuine. To address your question: Yes mintmarks can and are added. The 09-S VDB has been scrutinized because it is so popular - the fine points of the position and shape of the 's' are very well documented. It may be that the 's' on your coin is out of line with the known genuine characteristics and it is on that basis that it is believed to be a counterfit. You should also inspect the rim of the coin near the mintmark to see if there are any telltale signs of a hole that has been drilled to insert a punch tool and make a new mintmark. Pictures would help here - but expert coin dealers or a reputable grading service is the way to go - ideally *before* you buy - but I know that may be little consolation now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostDutchman Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 it's all about the shape of the mintmark and the shape of the "B" in VDB..... pictures would help here.. but the S VDB's have a distinct shape to the mintmark that is very hard to reproduce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyd Posted February 3, 2007 Report Share Posted February 3, 2007 Please post pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyd Posted February 3, 2007 Report Share Posted February 3, 2007 These are the four obverses of a genuine S-VDB -- note the shape of the 'S' and the serifs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just carl Posted February 4, 2007 Report Share Posted February 4, 2007 Check out coppercoins.com web site. They have photos of fake ones with the S added and an explanation of how to tell. Great web site for all Lincoln Cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted February 4, 2007 Report Share Posted February 4, 2007 You should also inspect the rim of the coin near the mintmark to see if there are any telltale signs of a hole that has been drilled to insert a punch tool and make a new mintmark. hmmm.... so is that one way they add a mintmark? wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostDutchman Posted February 4, 2007 Report Share Posted February 4, 2007 yup... it is and they can be very tricky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostDutchman Posted February 4, 2007 Report Share Posted February 4, 2007 on a genuine piece the serifs should be perpendicular Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Lawson Posted February 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 Please post pics! Thank you for the reply. The pictures were a big help to me. My coin is the #1 . It is identical in position and shape of the S mint mark. Has the same characteristics, shape , size position. I beleive thicoin to be the real thing. Thank you very much for the reply and help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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