Hello Everyone,
I've always collected coins, but stupidly sold my decent collection off when I was 16 (for gas money... doh!). I didn't restart collecting again until I was in my mid 30's. Once I got the bug again, I was buying anything and everything I could.
I tend to collect lower grade coins due to budget restraints, yet having the yearning to own classic
US coinage.
Onto the coin in question. This 1788 MA Cent came up for sale on one of the coin websites I frequent (the names and website has been withheld to protect the innocent). The price range was right for me at the time (probably somewhere around $50).
Upon first viewing it, I remember asking the seller if this was a genuine coin or not. The wear on the obverse just seemed to be something that screamed out to me. The seller told me it was possibly a planchette flaw, and that the coin was genuine.
I purchased the coin, and am quite happy to have an example of this early colonial coinage. Even if this coin does turn out to be a fake, I'll still be okay with it. I think it's still a neat piece to show the kids.
However... I've had this nagging feeling all these years of owning it that it might be a fake. I'd just like to know once and for all. If it's fake, so be it. I'll label the coin flip accordingly. If it's real, then I can stop worrying about it.
So? What do you think? I tried looking for the Ryder type on it, but didn't have much success. The coin is awfully worn, so it's hard to find great markers. I can't even be fully sure whether it's a "With Period after Massachusetts" or "Without Period". I'm thinking it's a Without. I know it's a 1788, but other than that... nothing.
What do you guys think? Genuine? Fake? If real, any feeling on which Ryder type it is?
Thanks!
Posted 02/15/2017 2:10 pm
