Proof Set Error? 2016 150th Anniversary Of The Transatlantic Cable Proof Set

If I recall correctly, the OP stated the obverse of the coin was silver coloured, not gold. I can't think of a reason RCM would silver-plate half of a gold planchet.

Im in contact with Canadian coin not sure yet where we are going with this coin. I really need to get it check out , all I know is I got it from the post office and it was cracked and the box it came in was buckled in the same corner as the crack.I also noticed that the proof coin is slightly off center in the set....Ill keep everyone if something comes up...

As can be seen a different die was used to strike this coin. IMO it's a fake.

Look at the 2016 date, there's a curl in the top of the 2 on the legit one. as well as "Canada" lettering

Also a strange gap on the "gold" one between the colouring and the rim\edge.

Also find it strange in first pic of the set, it's clear the coin is not seated straight and turned slightly meaning it's been removed.

As well, the Chinese have been making gold plated Canadian fakes when the originals were not in fact gold plated.

I suspect either the new poster is pulling our leg, or he/she has been victim of a switcharoo return at the PO

@ Alan Indeed the "2" certainly appears different although the other detail is far superior to the typical knockoff.

What I notice is the colour of the enamelled portion has the same yellowed tinge as the background, giving the impression of a yellow tinted dip over the entire coin. Unless the photo is out of focus, the vessel has lost its sharpness as well, as if it's in a haze. There happens to be an AT process known as "smoking" or "hazing" - holding a coin over the smoke of a cigarette or cigar until it yellows. Although I've never seen the effect, the description seems to align with an opened up case so that would be my guess.

it will be very interesting to hear the results once the OP has sought a professional opinion of the actual coin. The 50c and the 25c sure do appear to be typical Specimen coins. And in order for the plastic insert to crack because the box was banged up, the actual book type enclosure that protects it would also have to be bent out of shape because it's made of very sturdy material. There just seems to be a whole lot of coincidences in that one package.

Wilsonwu89 have you noticed if the case was cracked anywhere?

Very interesting thread!

First, the 25C and 50C are most definitely proofs. Specimens have shiny relief.

Second, I cannot believe this is toning. I've never seen natural toning (or otherwise) so uniform. It is definitely some form of plating.

Without having the coin in hand it is hard to tell, but one possibility is that the coin was plated with a gold plating solution. Some utube videos describe the process.

It would be important to verify the rim. A gold plating solution would drip, or leave uneven pattern on the edge or rim.

Obviously, the solution would react to the metal (not so much on the paint). Gentle cleaning could remove any stains left by the solution - not sure.... Perhaps the solution could affect the typical dot-matrix color layer and blurry the whole thing. The paint does look washed out but that may just be due to picture quality.

This is the most likely scenario: some kind of post machining process. Could it be selective gold plating gone wrong? Not likely. I can't imagine this to ever happen.

Can it be a fake?

Well... I do have a hard time with some of the features on the reverse. But those may just be the camera angle / shadows.

The arm is missing a good chunk of skin.



The initials aren't quite the same...



If I had to place my bet: cheap plating solution. Cracked lens and rotated coin are easy clues.

OP: can you just scan your coin on a flatbed scanner?

Yes, this is quite the thread with many questions still left unanswered. Breaks out the popcorn.