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I agree that there are likely hundreds even thousands of high grade examples of the Keyhole porthole coins in holders or that may get into holders. The problem is that NONE of these coins have been scientifically tested to determine their Specific Gravity. Until they are - the fraudulent coins with copper centers and thick Sheffield plate will NEVER be detected and they will be collected as if genuine.
I agree that there are likely hundreds even thousands of high grade examples of the Keyhole porthole coins in holders or that may get into holders. The problem is that NONE of these coins have been scientifically tested to determine their Specific Gravity. Until they are - the fraudulent coins with copper centers and thick Sheffield plate will NEVER be detected and they will be collected as if genuine.
Bob, I posted these worn examples specifically to address this statement. These pieces clearly can NOT be suspected of being early 1800s Sheffield/Birmingham plated types - they are clearly solid alloy. It's simply out of left field to cast that kind of doubt.
AT WORST, they can be suspected of being your later 1800s bullion restrikes for the China trade...
I am trying to locate a wreck piece with this feature (or a piece from the "Haiti Hoard" of mostly 1780s, mostly Mexico portrait 8R which I believe Carlos Jara was involved with and from which eBay seller "southfloridacoinscollectibles" offered a number of pieces a few years back)...
If you recall, you once had similar suspicions about all the Mexico pieces with the cracked castle (crack emanating from the Right side castle window out to the castle wall)... and currently about the Potosi late 1770s-early 1780s 8R with the crack on the left side of the castle. I think these are ALL simply regal flaws... and if you've seen an example or two with similar features that you strongly supspect as some sort of non-regal, it's a feature copied over from a regal piece.
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Lastly it is possible (though I have never seen one of this exact type I can prove to be a pure Numismatic Forgery) that these coins could be produced from transfer dies made very recently.
Lastly it is possible (though I have never seen one of this exact type I can prove to be a pure Numismatic Forgery) that these coins could be produced from transfer dies made very recently.
Check your book's files, Bob... they certainly do. That was part of what prompted the beginning discussions on here regarding this goofy window type maybe 7, 8 years back. Chinese "fake family" types, some of which have appeared in those infamous Postal Commemorative holders. See below:



