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Replies: 25 / Views: 1,324 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2887 Posts |
Counterfeit. Even with the small picture, the buffalo's head isn't abraded and has a full head of hair, EPU is too close to the back, the right rear leg isn't abraded, the buffalo's upper neck is nearly a straight line from the hump to the head, UNITED is kerned too closely, and the missing leg is completely removed. If it's the counterfeit I am thinking of, the obverse will have a "3" that looks like half a set of handcuffs and be ODV-009, rather than ODV-007. It's a revised version from our friends at Forty Thieves.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2063 Posts |
Quote: Survey says.... Fake Alpha33 out.............................. Do not feel discouraged. Use this as a learning experience and crack on. There are more coins out there to be found! I have to hand it to the buffalo nerds. Of all the specialists in the classic forum, the buffalos are always on their A game. I am thoroughly impressed, keep it up    We should have a CCF softball game. Buffalos vs Busts. 
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Bedrock of the Community

United States
10407 Posts |
Great comparison and description of what is wrong with the OP's coin, thanks.
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Valued Member
United States
173 Posts |
Quote: Do not feel discouraged. Use this as a learning experience and crack on. There are more coins out there to be found! are you kidding me! You can't trust anything. Used to be a time when grading coins was my biggest concern. Now with repro's, fakes and counterfeits everywhere, grading is childs play in comparison. Been chased in and out of this hobby for over 60 years. Back to my guns for a while I guess.  Alpha 33 OUT..........................................................
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Bedrock of the Community

United States
70322 Posts |
Bottom line, if you know your subject, you won't get fooled. So you made a mistake long ago - we've all done it. 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1746 Posts |
Which makes me wonder, the OP can simply send it in to PCGS and let them decide on its authenticity. What Id like to see is somewhere here on CCF have an authenticity checking page where there are photos of the fake/altered mint error in comparison to genuine examples and the not real ones have literal pointers showing everybody what to look for. Like a perma-link at the top of the home screen with all known USA minted coins ( Half Cent through double eagles) that are commonly altered/faked, so those like myself who has a major error/variety can insta-check and be able to determine if we have the real deal or not... I personally am still confused if this OP is genuine or not... It looks real enough to my eyes at least. 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2887 Posts |
The counterfeiters are getting better and their techniques are dramatically better. Even the TPGs get burned from time to time.
Years ago, all the counterfeits were sand cast and pretty crude. Then 30-40 years back they started doing lots of die transfer counterfeits with dies made from real coins, but they still lacked detail and didn't understand die varieties. Now they are reducing dies from 3D printed galvanos and using laser-cut dies. It's a whole new ballgame.
Stick with it. Hang around on here and ask questions. Pick our brains. Follow the leads and resources people find and are always willing to share. This site exists to share knowledge, pain, joy, and experience. We're all learners.
Edited by fortcollins 07/02/2022 11:52 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3674 Posts |
Quote:Which makes me wonder, the OP can simply send it in to PCGS and let them decide on its authenticity. Why waste the money on sending it to a TPG if the coin is a obvious fake? It would be like sending in a Chinese counterfeit in for authenticity. If the OP would post large size photos or both the obverse and reverse, I am sure the authenticity can be sorted out to a firm conclusion.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3996 Posts |
Quote: I am sure the authenticity can be sorted out to a firm conclusion I believe the lack of authenticity has already been sorted out to a firm conclusion, even with the less than optimal photos. The markers that @fortcollins listed are diagnostic, and although some may be tough to see, there are a few that clearly prove this is not genuine.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1746 Posts |
One more good question... Is the whole OP coin counterfeit/fake, or is this just a genuine Buffalo nickel that has been altered? I lean more to a straight up counterfeit myself after all this good discussion  Just wondering...  Just took an aside to PCGS coinfacts on the 37-D 3-legged, and they have a comparison between genuine and not genuine...
Edited by mrwhatisit 07/02/2022 7:30 pm
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Replies: 25 / Views: 1,324 |
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