1923 Half Penny

A neighbour of mine has access to a mass spectrometer. A pinpoint of metal shot off the edge is all that is needed to test for trace elements, and to compare the results against known genuine coins.

He also actually OWNS three electron microscopes acquired by disposal from his employer. His qualifications: pHd in materials science. He is often called before the courts to give evidence as an expert witness.

Wow Sel,

That is neat and the exact kind of informed and useful response I was hoping to receive.

Even though I briefly used these machines in college while pursuing my biology and chemistry degrees, that was several years ago.

I am not up to date with the improvements in these technologies and never thought to consider the applicability of these machines for use in coin authentication.

What do you think this gentleman would charge an interested third party for authentication of a valuable rare date coin having questionable traits?

Does he happen to be a CCF member who might be willing to give an in-house discount for brothers and sisters of the fold?

One might consider using someone like this in the event a TPG spits back a glaring grade error while producing one of their slabs etc...

mdpmedia

It is a race as always, counterfeiters come up with new ways to make the coin, we come up with ways to detect the new counterfeits.

Not sure if I'd ever buy this type of coin of ebay. I'd want the thing in my hand before I paid for it.

Speaking of which, sorry if this is against the rules, but Roxbury's has a couple of 23 1/2d's in their next auction in June. Also a couple of 30 d's.

Cheers
Pete