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 Replies: 10 / Views: 3,117 |
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
I picked this up in Toronto many years back from Chinatown. I didn't pay a lot for it, so I figure it might not be the real deal, but I am hoping someone with more knowledge about this coin might be able to tell me more about it, be it fake or real. Thank you!   Edited by Raligard
02/10/2013 7:19 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
most dollars are about 28 grams.
Does it react to a magnet ?
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New Member
China
29 Posts |
I think the coin is counterfeit,compare the dragon's eye   |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
695 Posts |
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Valued Member
 United States
79 Posts |
It does not react to a magnet, however the light weight was my first indication it might be a fake. Thank you all for the information.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
Notice the thickness of the rim surrounding the dentils. That is caused by shrinkage of the molding material used to create the mold that the coins came from. To make up for shrinkage of the face they have to add extra all the way around.
Always be suspicious of coins with such wide edges.
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
It's still a nice memento for the $5 I paid for it.  Thank you all for your help and input on identifying it. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
Honestly, regardless of how cheap it was, most people need to realize that you need to put a STOP on it if you are keen on stamping out counterfeits. These I believe could be countefeited at less than 1 dollar. By paying 5 dollars, you are still giving them too much profit. At the same time, how do you even know it doesn't have any nasty elements in it such as lead, arsenic and such? No guarantee.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
Add to your toxic list antimony (which is the same family as arsenic) which can come in percentages of 10% or higher and mercury which is very often part of the mix.
I wear gloves and wash after looking at fakes and I also get a toxic metal screening test - just had a clean bill of health last month.
Some of these coins in the right circumstance can be rather hazardous to your health.
I also agree that $5 is too large a reward to the forger who makes these for closer to 10 cents each in large numbers. If you want to collect this type offer $1 as suggested which is a far more normal street vendor level price for ONE copy.
But also make sure you get a stamp that reads COPY and stamp every one clearly so that it never fools anyone ever again. This applies to all forgeries made after 1973.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
swamperbob - I do have a coin that's struck or maybe cast in antimony.  A bizarre coin but interesting at the same time. Needless to say, it's in a 2x2 holder and I avoided handling it raw. Took me many years to hunt this particular coin down and the price is outrageous if you can find one today. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
I knew that there were a few coins actually struck in antimony mostly Chinese and many earlier types as well. Antimony is a metal common in parts of China. But it also occurs in Mexico. It is a common element in counterfeits.
But it is poisonous. It accumulates like arsenic.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 3,117 |
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Posted 02/11/2013 02:32 am
