1833 Contemporary Fake/Counterfeit Bust Half: D1/A Common?

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Author	Replies: 2 / Views: 1,893
colonialjohn Pillar of the Community United States 1757 Posts	Posted 12/22/2011 1:34 pm Picked up recently a 1833 U.S. Capped Bust half dollar that was being sold as Brass CCBH and classified as Dav. 1/A Common. In turns out it has several interesting properties when XRF analyzed: 1. A Cu/Zn/Ni mixture (62.60%)/(25.27%)/(9.814%) which denotes it as german silver type but low in nickel at 9.8%. More of a nickel brass alloy issue which is a classification of having less nickel than typical german silver issues where nickel is usually in 15-20% range. 2. Then we get to the second part of this interesting specimen which indicated Pb (0.79%) and Hg (0.6%) or a lead/mercury type amalgam which its probable intent was to introduce a whitish color to the alloy mix. Similar to dental amalgams? Yes? No? 3. Finally we see a cobalt/iron mix at (0.44%)/(0.08%) which gives the alloy mix some blue hue as in the 2004 Cameroon Pygmy issues. Really - take a look. Obviously an advanced contemporary counterfeit alloy mix and operation possibly emanating from England or from an advanced U.S. making operation in the early 19th Century. Will need to look at more examples. So in review we have a low nickel brass with a lead/mercury amalgam and a cobalt/iron induced blue tint mix in a holed 1833 Bust Half classified as a Dav.1/A and classified common. Not sure what common has to do with any of this situation? Do you Mr. CCBH collector? <BG>. John Lorenzo Numismatist United States Moved to Classic US Varieties forum - Sap Edited by colonialjohn 12/22/2011 2:15 pm Report this Post to the Staff

TreasHunt Pillar of the Community United States 2540 Posts	Posted 12/23/2011 5:14 pm John Interesting analysis. How did you determine the metallic composition? Report this Post to the Staff
colonialjohn Pillar of the Community United States 1757 Posts	Posted 12/24/2011 11:45 am Analysis was performed by a Amatek Spectro Midex ED-XRF Analyzer. See my company website at http://www.edax.com. ED-XRF results is an intra-atomic phenomenon where, under incident X-Rays, inner shell electrons are ejected. The vacant electron state is then filled by an electron from an outer shell with the emission of X-Rays that have energies specific for the electron energy levels that are indicative of the nature of the metallic elements being sought after - as in this specimen. Report this Post to the Staff
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1833 Contemporary Counterfeit Bust Half: D1/A Common?