What Am I Missing Here? 1943 Copper Penny

I agree, the '4' looks tooled.

Good eye syeb! - Particularly since you were looking for a Canadian coin. ;O)

Please also see this thread:

https://goccf.com/t/269546#269546

And, most importantly, report this fake coin to eBay using the Report item link on the lower right of the listing page. I reported it several hours ago; Bobby reported it within the last couple of hours; but the listing is still up.

I also wrote the Seller, pointing out the discrepancies and asking him if he knows for sure that the coin is authentic. As you might expect, he has not responded.

~ Mark

It does look like the 4 has been altered - but from what? I wonder if some applied acetone would have a number - or parts - fall off?

I own a Chinese fake 1943 copper b/c I wanted to see a fake firsthand. The porosity under magnification is evident on mine. I don't see porosity in the pics in this auction.




Speaking from personal experience... until I got onto this forum, I never saw a legitimate need or had a desire to use a TPG. I never would have had a thought to get a coin slabbed and have been collecting since the late 60s.

At the TPGs' inceptions I viewed them as I would a snake oil salesman, and pretty much hold the same opinion of them today. They knew people en masse yearn for a standard and became the self-proclaimed experts.

In their favor, the TPGs now they have had a lot of experience and therefore are...well... experienced in... something. Crack a professional graded coin from TPG A, send it in to TPG B and their experts see the coin differently... (enter Mr. CAC-oil salesman!).

From being here on this forum I learned two legit reasons for the TPGs:

1. People will buy the slab and not the coin - so in an auction, if I had something to sell of high value, it might be worth it to have it slabbed due to mob psychology on plastic Encased Coins. If its in plastic then it MUST be the right grade right?

2. I had a few done so when I pass on, my family will know there must be something special about the coins since they are in special holders. The coins won't be dumped them for face.

I still have seen nothing to change my opinions of the entire business.

However, I do NOT look down on people who collect slabs. This may seem contradictory, but its not. There are so many slabs out there with perceived value that these slabs can make for fun collecting. Hey... people collect banana brand name stickers (google it - there is a club!). I say if they are having fun - go for it!

No worries at all syed. I'm still learning which topics go in which subforms. ;-)

~ Mark

The listing has been removed. It was clearly an altered cent. Scary that it had that many bids on it.

Nice comparisons, Coop.

Very well done coop .. I say for all of us that we value and appreciate your contributions.

Concur for the OP ... do not bid on this coin. LOL

David