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 Replies: 36 / Views: 9,178 |
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Moderator
 United States
15402 Posts |
A CCF friend sent me this link for an opinion on authenticity ... alas by time I got too it (too much work) the coin had sold for $250.74 ... with 23 bids from unsuspecting collectors.  The unfortunate purchaser was sold a counterfeit 1936 Battle of Gettysburg half dollar ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/17089564164....m1423.l2649The sellers photos are out of focus and of low resolution ... here is the best I could do to re-create them ... for purposes of an honest discussion in counterfeit identification.  Compare to a genuine Gettysburg half ... this coin is from my MS set ..  This appears from the grainy seller photos to be a die struck example ... as compared to the obvious cast forgery of the Grant+Star that I showed a few days ago. The challenge with die struck fakes is that authentication requires some knowledge of the series and ... in this case ... the specific coin in question. Sooo ... there are many visible reasons with this E-Pray coin is fake ... I can quickly count over 10 ... but a quick summary of two easy to identify 'errors' that the die maker missed ... 1. Check out the obverse legend "STATES" at 12pm ... the fake has the last letter falling well short of the inner ring letter "E" in "Liberty". Compare that spacing to my genuine example. 2. Observe the location of the head of the fasces on the reverse ... the fake terminates the head of the fasces well below the inner ring. Compare to the fact that a genuine example has the head of the fasces termination exactly on the inner ring boundary. If the circulation wear of the fake was confusing anyone ... compare again to my circulated example ... I grade F12 and the differences between the fake should be apparent ...  Bummer that my previous two threads in this forum were about counterfeits ... but I hope that my sharing supports the few of you who are chasing these coins and raises awareness that knowledge is the key to our success as collectors.  David |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7189 Posts |
I saw it yesterday and thought about posting it too. It said fake one the first time I saw it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
i just spoke to the seller. he is going to this link right now and I pleaded with him to do the right thing and refund. he had no idea it was counterfeit himself
lets hope he does the right thing
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Moderator
 United States
15402 Posts |
Quote:
I just spoke to the seller Interesting ... not sure how you did that ... but do hope that he/she checks out these pages and makes it right with the buyer. If the seller shows up ... note that I would be interested in this fake as a teaching example for my growing counterfeit collection. David |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Nickel you can contact the sellers with the ask a question thing on ebay even after the listings have ended. Just gotta click the link above the picture to see the listing first |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
745 Posts |
Edited by Penny4Me
08/14/2012 9:27 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7189 Posts |
There is a 14 day return, hopefully the buyer will see the issues and return it.
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Well, he's had 1 negative and 423 positives in the past 6 months...let's hope he does the right thing :)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
its tough to read due to the image manipulation but here is the exchange Quote:
Dear danskrazycollectibles,
Your gettysburg coin was a counterfeit...did you know that? you need to refund the seller ASAP
do the right thing, dont be a crook now that you know its fake
thanks Quote:
We listed this item as we thought it was! And said in our listing that we didnt know anything about it and we dont! We have absolutely no intentions on selling something fake! How can you tell its counterfit?
- danskrazycollectibles  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
i also contacted the buyer and provided the link to here
its only the right thing to do
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
great job guys!i mean it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
the seller messaged me and he says he did the right thing! hooray for human kindness! we don't suck as a species too much after all!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
Im very happy that this whole situation had a happy ending. Good job guys.
Nickelsearcher, after looking at the side by side pictures and reading your explanation, the differences are obvious!
Great educational information for those who may be working towards collecting circulated commems.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
620 Posts |
Good to see the tale had a happy ending.
These fakes are making a fun hobby much
more difficult than it need be.
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Valued Member
United States
255 Posts |
This is the reason I joined this forum. I was reading about these fakes and decided I'd better get educated about them before I made more purchases on ebay. I'm amazed at the generosity of the members sharing their knowledge and expertise. Much thanks! I was even able to spot the difference btwn the two coins before I read your description! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
 KellyK this forum is a fountain of free education some of these members are not only experts at the hobby and specific coinage but they are never ending in their sharing of knowledge |
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Replies: 36 / Views: 9,178 |
Posted 08/14/2012 8:17 pm
