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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,230 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I came across this high grade 1857 Flying Eagle cent on ebay last night. The auction ended thirty seconds after I first saw the coin. I threw in a bid of around $55.00 but lost the auction. At first glance, and that's all I had before the auction ended, it looked like a nice brown high AU coin. But after it ended and I took another look at it, the numbers in the date looked rather "fat" and differently shaped from other 1857s. So, do people think the coin is authentic? If "Yes", then I'll kick myself again. If "No", then I'll take a deep breath and say to myself, "Glad I missed it." I think it's real, but am not sure. Thanks for sharing your opinions.   Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
Maybe. I would have passed. Not worth the risk to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
Its hard to tell because of the pics, but I think it is real, but poorly struck. Reverse looks much worse than obverse. Personally, I think you should be glad you missed it.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
The difference in strike details between the obverse and reverse seems odd.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
May have been in a bezel w/chain at some point. Friction is unforgiving on reverses.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Must agree that fat-looking date seems suspicious.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1499 Posts |
One way to develop "an eye" for grading coins to examine Mint State examples to see how the design looked when it was made. Here is a well struck 1857 Flying Eagle. PCGS called it MS-65.   The coin you missed had an obverse that has much more detail than the reverse. That would set me to wondering. The Chinese are making so much junk these days you can't be too careful. The piece also had spots, which is not a good think on a higher grade coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Thanks for the responses so far. I'm feeling better about missing out on it.
I was taken in by a Chinese fake FEC a few years ago so I'm suspicious of them.
Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
 I feel your lucky you got outbid ... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
You WON....by missing out on this one.
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Valued Member
United States
50 Posts |
I hardly ever buy raw coins unless they are at or below $20. Losing $5 on a fake coin or an "unsearched" coin roll isn't a big deal, but $55? No thanks, I'll spend a little extra to get that slabbed and graded.
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
The date didn't look right to me.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Sort of looks like the plastic ones I've seen. You did great by not getting this one.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,230 |
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Posted 10/03/2016 12:50 pm
