Well...it looks exactly like the ones I got from China that certainly didn't work very well..
Note that:
- the end pins are "half pins" - shown as "full-pins" on the Maxim datasheet
- the two moulding marks on the top
- the lack of a dimple by pin one
- underneath perhaps - two moulding marks with two alphanumerics in each and no extra printing?
- end to end 1.171 inches
- the vertical bar on the top somewhat inboard and full width
...compared with my Farnell MAX7219s that look exactly like the picture at
http://www.adafruit.com/products/453
..or the "illustrative picture at
http://uk.farnell.com/maxim-integrated-products/max7219cng/led-driver-8-digit-cc-7219-dip24/dp/9725245
Note that:
- the end pins are "full-pins"
- no moulding marks on the top
- a dimple by pin one (but note the Maxim data sheet doesn't show it)
- underneath - two moulding marks with "PHILLIPINES 09" (about the time I got the one I'm looking at) embossed
incredibly small on one and three letters the other, plus "MW7ANBS 0745" screen printed on the bottom
- end to end 1.261 inches - quite visibly longer
- the vertical bar on the top near the end and not full width
The only definitive answer would be to get Maxim to forensically check it, to be honest