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Replies: 37 / Views: 4,270 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have to admit I haven't seen very many of these and have never seen a genuine example of one in hand but I think this one may have some problems but I don't see anything that is jumping out at me and screaming that it is fake to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
I think the best chance of this being genuine is if that brown stuff flaking off the surfaces is some 19th century lacquer, and not a later attempt at "antiqueing" or fake toning. Some think it looks like lead or pot metal underneath, but I have little faith in metallurgy practiced through Internet photos.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4420 Posts |
Quote: Some think it looks like lead or pot metal underneath, but I have little faith in metallurgy practiced through Internet photos. IMHO, calling into question a coin's base metal isn't akin to practicing metallurgy on the internet. With a coin such as this appears, the question, the skepticism, is simply a logical one. Herbie ... Before sending this item in to be certified, perhaps you could find someone to perform a specific gravity test. This would not harm the coin, and would indicate the presence or absence of silver. If it fails the test, you might then return it "under the wire." Some years ago, I purchased a "kneeling slave" conder token at a flea market in Florida. It looked to be silver, and the seller told me it was a copy. I thought it a good buy at $10. I found that it had a silver ring to it. A numismatist friend performed a specific gravity test three times and confirmed my suspicion. I've since had it certified.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I second exoguy's advice as soon as it arrives it needs to be weighed and a specific gravity run. I don't think I've ever seen a fake that was actually made of silver.
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Valued Member
United States
57 Posts |
ExoGuy, I think there may be some confusion. I showed my dug Shilling, HistoryFan is the buyer of the auction coin. If the auction coin has seen some outside time, it's appearance is inline with 18th C silver I've seen, that patina that resembles lead can tricky. If this coin was listed with a proper weight, I'd throw $600 at it. Someone mentioned the auction coin had a poor strike, Mass silvers were for the most part poorly struck coins, a step up from a Cob. I believe the earliest issues of NE's and Willows were Hammered. Later a new tech 'Rocker Press' was employed, My Pine displays the S curved planchet that results from this type of strike, is proper weight and diameter. The die crack is an almost sure sign of authenticity, and the amount of other period items I've recovered in the area leave me no doubt. I'll show a Noe-1 struck before mine with the fish crack around date. Your Conder token is intriguing, I only see reference to Copper and White Metal varieties, please tell me more about it.. (And I just love a bargain :)) Can't wait to hear about weight and composition of the auction coin! Great Topic... HH all, Herbie. 
Edited by steelheadwill 08/16/2012 07:04 am
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
On the ebay example discussed, I believe there is enough exposed surface of the primary metal to do a simple scan of the piece with a portable mass spectrometer. I've seen this piece of equipment in service, and it is just as reliable if not more so than a S.G. test.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4420 Posts |
Herbie ... Thanks for correcting me! Must've had a senior moment or else lack of sleep given an upper respiratory issue. Gotta watch it.
That shilling of yours is a beauty ... museum quality! My conder token is slabbed, and I'm not good at holder pics, but I'll see what I can do.
Keith ... Sorry to have addressed my thoughts to the wrong guy! I do think that judd1552's suggestion sounds good; this, instead of or as a supplement to the specific gravity test.
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Valued Member
United States
57 Posts |
ExoGuy, Just wanted to clarify the last pic is an example showing an earlier state of the die crack. surely not my coin... A Silver KS Conder seems an exceedingly rare catch !! Judd1552, that would be the best confirmation. I have a contact who is cataloging period CFTs, He has a Mass Spectrometer, and provides this service at a very reasonable price, $35 for up to 10 reports (if memory serves). HistoryFan, I'll put you in touch if you choose this route. Best wishes all, Herbie
Edited by steelheadwill 08/16/2012 07:03 am
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
Will keep all your suggestions in mind, as I continue waiti Thanksng for this coin to be in my possession. Thanks, Keith
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
Oops, sorry for the typo's
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
Received the coin in question earlier today. Turns out that after taking out this coin and realized immediately that the feel was wrong. I dropped it on a hard table, it 'clunked' rather than 'pinged'. It did turn out to be lead. I was able to bend it quite easily, nicked the edge slightly with my fingernail, and was able to write with it like a pencil. It measures 26mm across and weighed in at 4.6g, too much for an authentic one. Yes, it left me very disappointed, however after contacting the seller, she felt bad, telling me she knew very little about coins and promptly issued me a refund. I am sending the coin back to her in the morning. Guess I lucked out on this one.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Sorry to hear about that. But at least it all worked out in the end and the seller made it right
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Valued Member
United States
57 Posts |
I had hoped for better news.. Seller deserves great feedback on this Trans for the refund. Thanks for sharing your story !!
Edited by steelheadwill 08/18/2012 03:59 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
So some free education in what lead reproductions look like! What was the brown stuff on it?
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
Looks like an old reproduction to me. I believe it was coated with some type of lacquer or something. If I work it enough with my fingernail in the area of the silver colored section just where it starts to turn dark, I can actually wear it down to the base metal. I didn't want to do anything more to it. I wanted to keep it pretty much the same, as I received it. I did send it back just moments ago. This one was quite the educational experience I must have to say.
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Replies: 37 / Views: 4,270 |