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 Replies: 16 / Views: 12,754 |
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Valued Member
Greece
425 Posts |
I went yesterday to a fellow pawn shop owner here in my town and tell me the story. A man came into the shop and carry some of these bars.He acquired them some months ago for 60.000 euro.They were all sealed and new bars.Because he needed some money for the Christmas eve he decided to cash them down .My friend, the shop keeper tear the seal and test them on the black stone.the results was that there is no gold in them.The owner fainted and a doctor came in to heal him.They sent them to an assayer and he told them that this is cooper 99.9%.The bar was gold plated but the gold left after the tests. Does anybody know where they make such bars? Does anybody has the same experience?    |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
667 Posts |
And to think why I buy mostly Maples and ASE's from authorized wholesalers. That is a sad story. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
Sad an scary to say the least. Notice the bar itself, it looks like a poor paint job, where you can still see the original color underneath. I would have to think compared beside a real Pamp 50 gram bar, it would be like comparing apples an oranges, one hopes anyway....
We can only hope karma deals out some swift justice in the future, to those who look to take advantage of good everyday people just trying to survive in rough times....
Edited by Silverhawk74
01/04/2012 2:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
I bet the rough looking bar, is what prompted the store owner to pull them out and give them the test....
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Valued Member
United States
404 Posts |
I always wonder how many times bars like these get bought and sold before someone realizes it's a fake.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
862 Posts |
the fake is so obvious, look at the letters "credit suisse" on the back, it's like a toy from dollar store.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1502 Posts |
You can usually tell a fake credit suisse apart from a new one through the lettering like silverbug mentioned. Their sealed assayed cards are not nearly as copy proof as Perth Mint and PAMP SUISSE cards though. Poor fella... Credit Suisse is a very popular "brand" in Asian markets but it looks like copies now exist in europe too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4008 Posts |
Quote:
I always wonder how many times bars like these get bought and sold before someone realizes it's a fake. Probably right up to the point where the FIRST buyer tosses one of these bars onto a scale and sees that it is 1/2 the weight that a gold bar of that size should be. I agree that it is sad that thieves are out there and messing with PMs. May they get everything they have coming to them!  |
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Valued Member
United States
89 Posts |
One of the reasons why you need to stick with fractional coins IMO easier to weight and verify it is the real deal.
I bet your friend could tell it was fake simply by picking it, gold is dense and you can feel it when you pick any gold coin vs copper coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
667 Posts |
This is one of the most faked gold bars, usually coated copper or brass. The strong point is that when buy you need to take some time to learn. Of course if you could compare this bar with a known real bar it would make thing easy. Things to look for are the style, font used in the letters, the wording itself. For example most fakes have the wording Essayeur Fondeur "CEI" the real words should be Essayeur Fondeur "CHI. In the case of this bar the wording was correct. Fake bars can have a different shade mixed though out it. Of course weight and actual bar size should be checked. Now take a look at my real bar and compare it to the fake, how many issues can you find between the two? Enough that even a rookie can see the fake.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
One huge thing I spotted, was the fake has raised lettering, and the real one appears to be engraved.....
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Valued Member
United States
302 Posts |
The thing that popped out to me is that the serial number is hand stamped on the real whereas it is cast or machine stamped on the fake. The thieves are too lazy to individually hand stamp each bar.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5853 Posts |
Plus, one is shiny and gold colored and the other one... isn't.  |
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Valued Member
 Greece
425 Posts |
thanks for the responses
Does anybody has the same experience?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
862 Posts |
I saw a fake silver maple leaf once, I still have the picture, will post if anyone interested. my friends who never touched a real SML all think it's real.
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Valued Member
United States
89 Posts |
Quote:
One huge thing I spotted, was the fake has raised lettering, and the real one appears to be engraved..... What is the difference between the two in manufacturing process? |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 12,754 |
Posted 01/04/2012 2:19 pm
