Possible Counterfeit 1916-S Walking Liberty Half

[ShinyPackRat]

Got this recently.. generally looks pretty good. Being a sane individual, I immediately checked the weight. Seems to be silver, weight is 12.50 exactly. It sounds like silver, far as I can tell. There isn't any kind of seam around the edge that I noticed.

The one thing that is throwing me off; the mint mark. Isn't it supposed to be on the front? The date and mint mark look a little odd to me as well.. possibly modified from some other date/added mark?
Personally, I suspect it is fake; either a different S-mint date modified to be 1916, or a 1916 with the S added on. This being the first Walker I've seen first-hand though, I'd appreciate some more experienced opinions.

 

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[enamel7]

Yes, the mint mark should be on the obverse.

 

[BIGSCOTT]

at firt glance it made me think of the Zombie Apocolypes peace dollars they were minting awhile back

 

[ShinyPackRat]

Darn. I was definitely afraid you were going to say that. Oh well, maybe the next one. Thanks guys

Happy Hunting,
~Shiny

 

[Kantuckkeean]

I hope you didn't get burned too badly.

Kindest regards,
Kantuck

 

[Professor of Engineering]

The mint mark on the 1916 is located under "IN GOD WE TRUST".

 

[bologna321]

https://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#/Walker/Grades

Some of these have an S in that location, look at the grade VF30 one. But professor is right, the 1916 should be on the other side........

It also has a cast look to it

 

[ShinyPackRat]

https://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#/Walker/Grades

Some of these have an S in that location, look at the grade VF30 one. But professor is right, the 1916 should be on the other side........

It also has a cast look to it

As I understand it, for 1916 and part of 1917 the mint mark was supposed to be on the obverse, they then moved it to the reverse for the remainder of the series.
I definitely agree about the cast look, something about the date (the 9 and 6) especially looks.. not quite right. But hey, at least it is still silver, at least as far as the weight claims

I hope you didn't get burned too badly.

Kindest regards,
Kantuck

Naw, just something I got as part of a larger sale of coins. Still quite pleased with the rest of the stuff I got; I wouldn't say I got burned at all. There just could have been a bigger party hehe

 

[tokameel]

What a rotten thing that someone has done to a nice condition 1916 WL., to cut or grind it in half, then glue it to another Walking Liberty Half that has been destroyed in a similar fashion.

I found that the best way to tell if coins have been 'mated' in this way, it to drop it, edge first, on the kitchen table. If the sound that it makes is more of a 'thud' than a 'ring' (that a similar real coin would make), it has likely been tampered with and should be avoided.

Good Luck.