Real Or Fake 1854 Large Cent

Where you guys are seeing red warning flags, I'm seeing a challenge. Accept that challenge. Numismatics is all about separating the wheat from the chaff, with the unique difference that we all have dissimilar opinions concerning what's "wheat" and what's "chaff."

So we have the additional challenge of coping with potential counterfeits. This is your opportunity to further your knowledge (and this hobby is all about knowledge). Most counterfeits are easily identifiable to a trained eye, so your job is to become that trained eye. You'll need the skill to correctly interpret photographs sometimes lacking in quality, and the discipline to walk away when the results aren't conclusive - or the willingness to evaluate and take a chance when you think it's called for.

These are skills which will serve you well in numismatics, whether there are counterfeits in the mix or not. I think we sometimes lose sight of just how important a good accumulated body of knowledge is to the pursuit of this hobby. Nothing in numismatics which is worth having comes easily - if you're just throwing money haphazardly at slabbed coins, you're an investor, not a collector.

Collectors sweat the details.

For the record, I'll be very surprised if Boris' coin is a fake. I'd have taken that chance without a doubt.

You can get a cheap digital scale on ebay...lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/3805-MINI-500-x...LE_W0QQitemZ400024442074QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item400024442074&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2%7C65:15%7C39:1%7C240:1318

Very similar to the one I use

Thanks... I guess what I meant to ask was what would be a good cheap scale? As I have never purchased one. Thanks for answering that question as well.

Finally arrived today! I haven't had a chance to weigh it as I haven't received my scale in the mail yet. I will hopefully get to weigh it in the next few days and will post what I find. Here is a link to some pics I took of the coin. See if this helps. Thanks again.
God Bless,
Brad

http://picasaweb.google.com/Coleman...t=directlink

Looks very nice!
I await the comments from the experts!

Nice deal!

First of all, let me say that I'm speaking as a member in this post, and not a Moderator. My words do not in any way imply any sort of official endorsement by the Administration or Staff of Coin Community.

With that out of the way, you should know that a CCF member, BadThad, has developed a product called VerdiGone. He is a metals chemist by trade, with access to the chemicals, tools and knowledge to attack the problem professionally. He, and other members who have used the product, have posted some impressive results - VerdiGone appears to remove verdegris without adversely affecting the appearance of the coin.

Two caveats. First, verdegris can damage the metal underneath. If you remove it, there may be exposed damage which would be a red flag to a TPG grading the coin. Second, VerdiGone has not been "approved" by any TPG, and I have no firm knowledge that coins treated with it will not show something which would cause a TPG to bodybag the coin.

Do a forum Search for this product. Read the discussions. Draw your own conclusion.