Was inspired to share my story from the "1796 Real Or Fake I Can't Tell " post
My objective is to help new collectors from getting burned.
Almost a cliché now a days but still holds true....buy the book before you buy the coin...
This "gem" was in a Chinatown Toronto shop. They wanted the healthy sum of $5.00 for this "silver antique". I refused to pay, but am not ashamed to say I stole it as I knew it was fake & these people were helping fund counterfeiters.... The real coin is worth a FORTUNE.
The diameter was right, the weight was very close, but alas it was magnetic and obviously a crappy cast. But still, new comers to this hobby might get taken. The China fakes are getting better & better all the time....Beware friends.....
cheers

