Guatemala 1/4 Quetzal 1946, Strange Counterfeit/Fake Coin

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,680
Johnathan55 Valued Member United States 128 Posts	Posted 06/04/2018 04:23 am This is less of a "Is this fake?" post and more of a "Why did they fake this?" post. Found this in a bundle of world coins. It's a fake 1/4 Quetzal coin from Guatemala. Aside from the weird appearance, it's almost a full gram heavier than it should be. The real coin is also supposed to be silver, but when ping tested it just makes a short dull thud. The value for this coin in the SCOWC is $10 to $20. Why take all the time and effort to fake a coin with such a low value? Strange. Images: Report this Post to the Staff

moxking Rest in Peace United States 17900 Posts	Posted 06/04/2018 09:45 am Perhaps a contemporary forgery made for the purpose of circulation during that time. Report this Post to the Staff
Numismat Pillar of the Community United States 1674 Posts	Posted 06/04/2018 10:26 am I agree with moxking. It has the look and also what appears to be remnants of a lighter, more silvery looking gilding on at least the reverse. Cool piece :) Report this Post to the Staff
X2an Pillar of the Community Sweden 1078 Posts	Posted 06/05/2018 02:37 am A lead fake. Since 1/4 Quetzal was a fair amount of money back then, any fake could probably make a profit. Additionally, due to lead's high malleability it can easily be shaped to a common circulation coin. I have a lead fake Swedish 1 krona 1956 and Hungarian 50 Filler, 1930's. They don't seem to be too rare and yet they almost look real in terms of design and quality. I understand how they made it to irculation at the time. Report this Post to the Staff
Johnathan55 Valued Member United States 128 Posts	Posted 06/05/2018 03:41 am Very interesting, With all the modern made fakes going around I didn't think about it being made to circulate as currency during its time, I forgot how much spending power small coins like these used to have. Kind of a silly question, I didn't realize it was lead. Is it safe for me to be handling this "coin" without gloves? It's pretty interesting so I'll be keeping it but I think i'll store it safely in a flip or something, hah. Edited by Johnathan55 06/05/2018 03:43 am Report this Post to the Staff
Numismat Pillar of the Community United States 1674 Posts	Posted 06/05/2018 06:51 am Handling it is fine, just don't lick your fingers afterwards :) Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,680

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Guatemala 1/4 Quetzal 1946, Strange Fake Coin