A List Of Counterfeit Coins That Are Being Sold

I saw a 1943 copper Wheat cent fake on ebay awhile back. And I wouldn't doubt it if a fake 1974 aluminum penny were found either.

I must admit that that's the first time I've ever seen someone that tried counterfeiting a 3CN, but that would definitely be the key year to do it for...1885. And, I must further admit, that it doesn't immediately scream "FAKE" to me. I'm curious to know how you were able to find this fake...and, by the way, thank you very much for showing it off. I'm guessing it's a Chinese counterfeit and I'm sure some poor slobs will be losing a lot of money buying them. Personally, I would likely never buy a key date 3CN without them being certified or from a reputable dealer that would provide such a guarantee.

Are we just assuming that the fakes are coming from China, or is this something people have had experience with a lot? I'm just wondering, not suggesting that it's implausible. What do you usually do when you find someone selling counterfeits on ebay? It's not really the same intent, but counterfeiting is definitely a federal crime. Do you turn these dealers in? I realize these are newbie questions but I've never shopped coins on ebay so have never encountered this, but I'm thinking of it.

I reported 3 last week and the three sellers listings got shut down and I assume they were at least warned.
Try to report it with more than 24 hours left in the auction.
Use this LINK - ebay Auction Violation Reporting. The other one on ebay does not get results as well as this does.

As some of you know I am a world authority on contemporary counterfeits (i.e., normally off-metal issues that co-circulated with the regal (legitimate) issues of the same time period (i.e., Machins Mills Coppers in the U.S. Red Book). These Modern Chinese fakes pretty much have screwed me up the ability to sell these historic issues easily on ebay to other specialists around the WORLD - so in my mind I am not a big fan of these people <BG>. I have studied these pieces and have done XRF analysis on these pieces.

The primarly results of the major:
1. German Silver (Cu/Zn/Ni)
2. Iron/Nickel - If Fe is >20% the piece generally becomes magnetic. They exist in varying amounts.
3. Debased Silver with copper but alloys (1) and (2) above are generally preferred over (3).

There may be other alloys but these are (3) principle alloys found after analyzing around 30-40 direct purchase coins of various types from a source near China.

On older issues like pre-1850 you can tell by the edge or they have that dull white look. The edges appear new - you simply can't fake a 200 year old edge. Like some other collectors say - buy slab, know mintmark locations, etc.

After awhile you can spot "THE LOOK." From (1) - (3) above silver has a high coin ring - these (3) coin rings the PITCH will be LOWER.

Bottom line - they are WELL MADE and are struck in a good minting press ... to a new collector - they are DEADLY.

John Lorenzo
Numsimtist
United States

Have there been documented instances where a TPG has been fooled by a fake? I don't mean, for instance, a fake PCGS slab, but PCGS blessing what turned out to be a very, very, very good fake?

Curious.

Conder101: The fake coins in TPG slabs is what I was wondering about? Were they rare coins/common dates? Pardon me if there is a thread on this.