Is this a counterfeit 1909S VDB?

[grnwavdav]

I really need your guys expert opinions. I found this coin tonight. When I saw it I knew I needed to be skeptical. I think the S was added but I am not sure if I am right. Okay, here's what I see: It is the correct mintmark style, the position seems to be close to die #3 and die #4, the VDB is the correct style as well. Here's my concerns: The goop around the mintmark has me second guessing it's authenticity. The blue arrows point to what could be glue. Also, I think I see possible tool marks around the mintmark but then I noticed that what I thought were tool marks to the east of the mintmark were part of an alloy-caused stripe running through the whole coin (which the red arrows are pointing to). Again, I'm not sure if it just my eyes seeing what they are expecting to see. All your thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!

[mustbebob]

You need to try and remove the gunk around the mint mark so we can have a better look at it.. Use Verdi-care or acetone. Be very careful. This could be the real deal.

[Vickilynn]

I vote yes it is real. But I am no expert ( mostly going on hope).
Vickilynn

[willbrooks]

If someone faked the mintmark, they did an amazing job. It looks just right for die #4. If VDB and everything else is in order, and if acetone doesn't make the mint mark fall off, I would bet you have a winner David! Very exciting. Where did you find it?

[furryfrog02]

Couldn't tell you anything about it being legit or not since I know next to nothing about them. I am curious though, you said you found it. Where? Please tell me in a roll. That would make my day!

[georoxx]

The gunk around the S is consistent with the gunk around the 909. The blueish blotch SE of the mintmark near the rim appears to be a different substance.

My vote: real.

-George

[trails]

I am not confident that this is the real thing. One red flag is the B in V.D.B. It does not appear to be the right shape and the cross bar is horizontal and not slightly tilted as it should be.

But then again, making an analysis by images alone is not the best practice. I would have it checked by a TPG.

BJ Neff

[admrose]

All raw S-VDB's are counterfeit/altered until proven otherwise, at least that's my motto. I agree with trails, have it checked.

[rlm's cents]

It looks like die #4 to me. The VDB has the second dot in the right place, the middle bar of the B tipped right and the V open like it should. Everything looks like a real coin to me.

[grizz]

...i'll give you my home address. just send it to me and i'll check it out for you!................absolutely no cost!!!

[grnwavdav]

I found it in the bag I have been searching. I will very carefully remove that gunk around the mintmark and post the updated pictures.

The gunk around the S is consistent with the gunk around the 909.

I thought the same thing, George.

BJ, the B does have the diagonal bar. I think it is just hard to see from the photo. I will post a close up image of the VDB in a bit.

[GrumpyEd]

That is about what I thought. The green around the date and most areas might even come off if it's soft stuff but the one circle of it further from the date looks hard and will mostly stay or have corrosion under it.

From the pics so far I don't see a reason to think it's fake other than there are a lot of fakes.
Be careful with it, I lean towards it being real.

[liveandievarieties]

If you'd like, I can help you out-

We're going to be at the Long Beach show at the end of next week- PCGS and the other TPGs will give free opinions of grading and authenticity. If you would like, I can have it checked out for you.

But if so- PM me immediately- we're leaving shortly but there is still time to make it work!

[DCW]

Boy, this would be huge. And the second 1909-s vdb cent found by our members in as many years. Incredible score if it's real! Just to clarify, was this found in a bank bag of cents or a bag of pure wheat cents?

[simonm]

That'd be an amazing find. Hope it pans out for you!