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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,594 |
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Hello all! First time poster. I used to collect coins as a youngster (though I'm only 31 now...still young). Just getting into things again and I'd like to add a pillar dollar to my collection. Just starting to learn about these, and I came across this example purported to be from 1770. Thoughts? Real/fake? Reasoning? Any input is appreciated. Info from seller: Wt: 27.0g Diam: 39mm Non-magnetic     |
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New Member
 United States
7 Posts |
Specifically, I don't know enough about the edge look yet to know what's good and bad. Secondly, the lettering in VTRAQUE looks off to my untrained eye.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
First off, welcome.
I'd simply remark that as a class, these are extremely risky to buy uncertified, unless it's from a reputable dealer you trust and who will stand behind it should it turn out to be bogus.
Colligo ergo sum
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Thanks, LC. Glad to find a great community of like-minded "coiners" to chat with.
I'd have to agree. I've spent more than a few hours reading through various threads here, Wikipedia articles, NGC stuff...there seems to be a heavy dose of caveat emptor with these. But, I suppose that's to be expected with 250 year old coins. There's a steep learning curve, but the end game is worth it.
Best advice I've seen so far is from Swamperbob...the coins will be there, just take your time.
That said, back on topic. Anyone else want to bestow their knowledge/wisdom with regard to the above coin?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Quote:
Anyone else want to bestow their knowledge/wisdom with regard to the above coin? I'll say I don't like the edge (a quasi-seam there to my eyes) or how the dentils seem to truncate short of the rim at the bottom of the shield side. This is nothing on which I'd take a chance if there's any real money involved. Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
05/12/2015 10:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1156 Posts |
From what I can see, the details on the obverse and reverse look correct. Not sure about the edge -- if the edge design was applied in the same fashion as the portrait 8 reales there should be two areas, directly opposite, where the design overlaps -- I can't see those in the photos. Specific gravity would be helpful. Here's one I own in an NGC slab. The pictures are from the auction house.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Hong Kong
1270 Posts |
Welcome, Astronuteej, your coins look real to me. The edge of this kind of coin is most difficult to imitate but it looks okay to me. The details of your coin when compared with jgenn's specimen, it is perfectly matched.
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Thanks for the insight, all. Quite helpful. The coin is on ebay right now; I'm going to keep an eye on it to see what it gets to by the end of the auction. If it doesn't go crazy I may take a flyer on it. The later bust style coins were more my speed when I collected in earnest...these are an entirely different animal. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
562 Posts |
Anyone else see two scratches in a cross shape above the crown?
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Atlas - yes, I also saw the cross scratched in above the crown on the obverse.
JGenn's coin gives some good comparison clues. My bigger question is the lettering of VTRAQUE. The t and r seem closer together versus the other letters. Does this happen with known legitimate coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
Just saw this thread. The edge design may be good but it is too small to be sure. There is clearly some distortion in all of the photos so it is hard to make an educated guess in this case. If possible take the photos at 90 degrees to the face and centered. Use a close up setting to keep the focal length very wide. The edge pictures should be taken to show edge and face but should be taken symmetrically and focused at the center point. The camera must be aligned along the coin's center line to avoid distortion. Focus must be close up. The sketch below shows what I mean about the edge.  The X scratched into the coin could be a test cut. It may indicate someone was suspicious. The odd spacing of the lettering is odd for Mexico City in 1770. It does not match the standard. I would suggest Specific Gravity testing. If you can photo the entire edge and locate the laps that would also help. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,594 |
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Posted 05/12/2015 7:51 pm
