A friend asked me to verify this coin from a few pics It looks fake to me! Just need a bit of confirmation from stackers. IMG-20190927-WA0010 by Aurora et luna posted Sep 27, 2019 at 5:48 PM IMG-20190927-WA0009 by Aurora et luna posted Sep 27, 2019 at 5:48 PM
^ Why? Please be more specific: what exactly is wrong? The problem is that some old coins of the same sort are struck differently. I don't know about this one, but is making a strong point about the detail. I suggest you look up high-res photos from online coin albums and coin dealers' websites and compare the details there with this coin's details. It could be the face, the letters (sometimes the letters have dumb shapes) or any other element.
Looking at the pics the wear is inconsistent on the obverse Too much wear on the face and too little on the wreath Also on the reverse there is a brown batch so that raise some doubts in me that this coin may be gold plated. I have advised my friend to get it checked by a coin dealer. If this coin is offered to me as a numismatic I certainly wouldn't fork over any money for it unless its been checked by a coin dealer. If sold for its gold content, the minimum would be an XRF test.
The coin is clearly a FAKE. The US Mint did not make an 1886S $20 Liberty. PS If ever unsure, the best way to test a gold coin that has known specs, weigh it and measure the diameter and thickness. I doubt there is a fake double eagle that matches all three measurements correctly, unless it is a very high dollar fake made with real gold to exact specs such as the "Omega" 1907 high relief counterfeits.
Weight test + measurements. It's hardest to replicate a coin that has the adequate measurements and the right weight. Please note that bullion coins are usually a bit "overweight" (more than the weight written on them).