PCGS Article on Detecting 1909-S vdb Counterfeits

This is a very helpful and informative article by Jaime Hernandez at PCGS (February 2, 2010) about learning how to tell the difference between an authentic 1909-S vdb and a counterfeit. For all you Lincoln cent lovers, I suggest printing it and keeping it at hand! Here's a link to the article:

http://www.pcgs.com/articles/articl...e&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ezine02022010

Due to CT rules, I can't post the entire article, but here are some photos.

[FONT=arial,helvetica][FONT=arial,helvetica]In the following images - [/FONT]

• Mint Mark # 1 has the highest "S" mint mark out of all four mint marks. Notice that the top of the "S" is above both the legs of the 9 digits from the date.
• Mint Mark # 2 has the top of the "S" mint mark flush to the bottom of the 9 digits on the date.
• Mint Mark # 3 also has the top of the "S" mint mark flush with both the bottom of the 9 digits on the date. However, the left side of the "S" mint mark is not flush vertically with the right of the first 9 in the date. Instead, it is vertically aligned closer to the center of the space between the first 9 and the 0 in the date.
• Mint Mark # 4 has the lowest mint mark position of all. The top of the "S" mint mark does not even come close to touching the bottom of the 9 digits.
• Genuine Mint Marks will also display parallel serifs. If you look at mint mark below labeled "Parallel Mint Mark" the two serifs point in the same direction vertically, in a parallel position.
• Genuine 1909-S VDB cents will have the VDB initials slightly slanted, specifically on the central crossbar of the letter "B."

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Thanks for the article and for the link. I will merge it into this thread http://www.cointalk.com/t78043/

BTW, not being able to quote the entire article has little to do with CT rules, but rather federal copyright law. It is just that CT is one of the few places that makes an effort not to violate it

 

Thanks, Charmy !

I suppose the 09-S VDB is the most sought-after key in the entire US series, so that article is truly vital. It's good to have it all in a coherent "one stop shopping" format.

I'm no authority on these, so keep me honest ... my understanding is there are 4 different mint mark locations, but the "S" itself is identical on all 4 dies (mintmarks made from the same punch on all 4 dies). True ?

If so, there is a telltale characteristic signature of that punch - inside the upper loop of the "S", in the lower left, there is a little blurb - a little raised segment. I would think that is difficult to counterfeit.

Sometimes the mintmark is filled, so it's covered up. But in some of those photos it's very clear.

 

Yes, that is true. The "blurb" you mention is more like a little (tiny?) dot, but if the "S" is not worn too much and the die not filled, it should be there. (If a whole "D" can disappear in 1922, imagine the odds of a little dots disappearing.) More prominent than that is a die chip on top of the "S". It runs from just behind the serif nearly through the serif. Likewise, that should be visible on most authentic S VDB's.

 

Thanks, RLM !

These are really good things to know. Shows the value of a forum like this.

 

Very very informative article
Thanks

 

Heath

Remember how in another thread, I said there are people here who know Lincolns. Charmy is one of those people. If you want to buy Lincolns, she has both raw and certified. Good luck.

 

Thanks,
the other day I went to her website and looked at her coins for sale and her personal collection. All I can say is WOW. I also read her story and it was really cool how she got into collecting.

 

Thanks guys, I'm proud that you recommend me, Breakdown, and would be pleased to help you Heath find any Lincolns you may need. :hug:

 

Thanks, just another one or your helpful/interesting threads.

 

Dont worry, I am sure you and I will be talking in the future about some Lincolns I want. Just out of curiousity, do you have a grading company you prefer for the Lincolns or do you use both NGC and PCGS?
Thanks

 

I recommend either one, but since PCGS is "in my backyard," I tend to submit to them more often so as to avoid shipping/insurance fees since I can easily drop off and pick up at their offices.