Came Across This Ebay Clip Auction

Well then I have to say a BIG Thank You! It kills me every time I see something like that! I make sure there is no doubt, with pics and write ups when I sell my variety coins. To see something like that, especially the price, and to think I just sold the "real deal" for 10% of what his bid was at. I know peeps are gullible, but I have a reputation to keep, that is worth more than the money!

Bobby can kill off any ebay listing for you.

DaWolfster, you've got mail.

I believe that was a genuine clip, can you tell me why you thought it was not?

Did you notice the second small rim clip at K-12, or the irregular inner curvature which is typical of curved clips of that size? The lack of Blakesley effect is also not necessarily cause for concern on clips of this size. All indications to me are that the coin was good.

Sean

So I had to do a little digging to find pics to illustrate what I am seeing on this coin. First here is a Heritage auction for another Bicentennial Kennedy clip which is nearly the twin of the coin in question:

https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/197...bnail-071515

Here is another with smaller double clips, where the larger one is not a perfect curve:

https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/197...bnail-071515

So for the coin in the OP, here is what I would look for to authenticate it:

- Any other small clips in addition to the large one (in this case, there is a rim clip at K-12)

- Evidence of metal flow during the strike, either at the rim by the edge of the clip (not as reliable on clips above 25%) or in the shape of the curve itself (in this case, the curve is slightly flat behind the bust). The reason for this is because in area where the planchet is under the most pressure, where two areas of low relief oppose each other, there is often slight metal flow between the dies. On a counterfeit, the clip is typically made with a round punch, leaving a perfectly curved surface.

- A cut / tear surface on the inside of the clip, or on a clad coin, an inversion of the clad layers (not pictured on this coin)

- what I do not necessarily look for is Blakesley effect, on very large clips (above 25%) either the planchet is not rolled at all, or the planchet breaks apart (into a crescent clip and an elliptical clip) during the upsetting process.

For the auction the OP had spiked by ebay, I am about 98% confident it is a genuine Mint error; a view of the inside edge of the clip would be necessary to get me to 100%.

I am happy to answer any questions, I can also try to add pics of coins from my own collection to further illustrate my post.

Sean

There are noticeable differences because your coin is about an 8% clip on a quarter, and the auction was for a 40% clip on a half.

Did you look at the certified Kennedy clips in the auctions I linked in my post above? Comparing "apples to apples" can you at least acknowledge that the coin in the auction could be genuine?

If you were not 100% certain in your opinion, you should not have pulled strings to get that auction pulled and take money out of that seller's pocket. I have been collecting errors and specializing in clips for almost three decades, I am happy to share what I know and offer opinions, but unless a coin is egregiously bad, I will not interfere in an auction.

It would be refreshing if the person who contacted ebay to get that auction pulled reached out to their source and acknowledged that the auction should have been allowed to run its course.

Sean