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 Replies: 28 / Views: 13,822 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
Today I found a fake Walking Liberty half dollar in a $500 Fed Box. It is very dark in color, has a year mark of 1945, and weighs 9.28g. Anyone knows more about this coin?  Does it worth 50cent? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
749 Posts |
Can you post a pic?
What makes you think its fake, from the weight?
Im not sure if it is possible to have 3 grams of wear on a coin.
Maybe someone with more experience can answer both our questions
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
I doubt it's a fake since it's a 1945. The dark color is from toning...either naturally or artificially. As for the weight I'd guess that it has lost a lot of it from the rim or there is some very excessive wear on the coin. The correct weight in UNC is 12.5g
If it's legit it's worth silver melt value. If it's fake it's technically worth nothing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
749 Posts |
Thanks GO  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
716 Posts |
The coin is slightly thicker than a real walker. The rim is still in good condition; I weighed some other worn-out halves; The weight can go down to 12g but never to 9.28g. It is a fake! I just wonder what period it was produced and circulated.
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Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
Very odd indeed. If it's thicker but weighs less then it's not silver. Any way we can see some pics? I'm curious to see what a common date cast copy of a walker looks like
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
Once I figure out how to post a picture
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Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Check for the designer's initials AW on the reverse (bottom right of the eagle). If there are no initials, I could be an attempt at counterfeiting this pricey variety. One of the reverse dies used for the 45-P had the initials polished off.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
It is probably a contemporary counterfeit intended to pass in circulation. Fifty cents was a significant sum of money in the 1940's and 50's.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
I've got some really worn Walkers. I just pulled 'em out and the lightest one I had was 11.5 grams and if it were any more worn, you wouldn't be able to make out a date, details, etc.
So if that coin weighs only 9.5 grams, something is wrong with it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
Here is the pics. The right walker is a real, nornmally-worn 1945 for comparison.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
Yep...definitely counterfeit.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
They used to be made of Lead or a Lead Alloy. Yours is not heavy enough for that. Someone did a decent job on that one. Wonder what it is made of. If better condition would be worth more to a counterfeit coin collector.
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Valued Member
United States
302 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Very cool find, looks like a counterfeit to me. I wouldn't say it's worthless because there are people that collect them. Price wise, I have no idea what it's worth, but I would guess it's worth more than 50 cents.
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Replies: 28 / Views: 13,822 |
Posted 03/20/2008 11:45 pm
