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 Replies: 33 / Views: 3,780 |
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
Hey everyone. Here's a question I hope someone can help me with. I came across a 1907 $10 liberty head eagle. The dilemma is it has a "O" mint mark (clear as day). Did I find the million dollar error coin or a fake. Weight and size are correct. I am in the gold/jewelry business but only a novice coin guy. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
It could be fake. Could be a D too though. Can you post a picture?
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New Member
 United States
25 Posts |
I sent to PCGS and it came back 1907 O questionable authenticity.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
All you can do now is confirm it's gold by its weight, diameter, thickness. You have a counterfeit.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
I sent to PCGS and it came back 1907 O questionable authenticity. I'd call "questionable authenticity" an understatement, since New Orleans didn't mint Eagles that year, or indeed any gold at all. The only 1907 New Orleans coins were the Barber dime, Quarter and Half Dollar, as well as 5-1/2 million Twenty Centavo pieces for Mexico. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Sounds crazy, but I wouldn't peg PCGS as the definitive authoritarian, either. A member of the Flyin' Club sent an 1864-L Copper Nickel to PCGS, along with a letter of authenticity from Rick Snow, and they sent it back in a body bag. It is the second example that has been found, so they are known to exist. In fact, if there is a unique example or pattern coin previously unknown, PCGS would be far in the back of my mind regarding authentication. TPGs only know what they know - they aren't here to rewrite history unless our leading numismatic experts first concur. And obviously, sometimes even that isn't enough to convince them. It's a sad state when TPGs ignore our numismatic experts. There was an article about this 1864 IHC in the last Longacre's Ledger. Edited by Drsandman2
06/02/2013 01:56 am
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
Being that I live in NY, I think I will bring it to ANA. Maybe they can shed some light on it. The reason I am thinking it's an error and not a counterfeit is why fake something that never existed. I googled it and came up with nothing. I would think if there are others like it someone would have come across them at some point. I'm hoping that maybe the mint started production in 1907 and was then told to stop and destroy any already made. Then, like the nickel that recently sold, a worker "kept" a few pieces. Crossing my fingers!! |
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
The reason I am thinking it's an error and not a counterfeit is why fake something that never existed. Because there are plenty who would consider it a "previously-unknown Mint Error" and throw good money at it on the off chance. As soft as gold is, it would be pretty easy to alter a Denver mint mark on a 1907 (not a really rare issue) into a very realistic "O," or alter the date of another New Orleans Eagle (less likely due to low mintages). Quote:
I would think if there are others like it someone would have come across them at some point. Exactly. Philadelphia would not have sent New Orleans any dies for 1907 gold mintage, because none was planned. The silver issues of that year from New Orleans were all fairly high, as was the mintage of the Mexican 20 Centavos, a coin the US Mint had never before produced and would have to plan a learning curve around. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just attempting to make a subjective judgement of probability based on a fairly well-grounded knowledge of what is and isn't likely in these terms. This particular "chance" is a slim one. |
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
Thanks Superdave for the insight
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
FYI I bought it over the counter as gold weight along with some assorted silver (coins and bullion). It wasn't presented as anything different. It sat in my safe for 6 to 8 months before I even noticed it
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
FYI I bought it over the counter as gold weight along with some assorted silver (coins and bullion). It wasn't presented as anything different. It sat in my safe for 6 to 8 months before I even noticed it Then you're into it for what it's worth. In this specific circumstance, I'd be more surprised if it weren't a real Eagle than if it were, even in the absence of evidence I can see here. |
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
Superdave My parents have a vacation house on Brigantine Island. If you have any interest in seeing it in person I would be happy to bring it down to AC.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Maybe I missed it but have you verified the weight, diameter and thickness?
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
BH1964 yes weight and size are correct
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Replies: 33 / Views: 3,780 |
Posted 05/31/2013 4:31 pm
