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 Replies: 18 / Views: 3,741 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Hi all, I'm a newbie to this forum so hello. I recently acquired an 1897 $10 Liberty Head Eagle Gold Coin (San Francisco Mint) along with a collection of UK gold sovereigns. I've no reason to doubt the validity of any of the coins in the collection but I'm concerned about the weight of the Eagle. From my understanding this coin should weigh 16.7 grams and in the near perfect condition that this one is in, that is what I would expect to see. But unfortunately this coin weighs in at just under 15.9 grams, a significant difference. I am using calibrated scales and the coin shows no signs of wear that would account for such a shortfall in weight. I'd be grateful if anyone could shed some light on this. Many thanks, Ian.   Edited by ccbemmy
12/18/2017 04:30 am
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Moderator
 United States
34397 Posts |
@ccbemmy, first welcome to CCF. Second, underweight sounds bad to me and would definitely make me suspect that this is a fake. I also don't like that the details on your piece seem to be different from the actual design, specifically the strands of hair on the back of Liberty's neck. Can you post a pic of the rev of your coin as well? Also, I assume you have already confirmed that this piece won't stick to a magnet, right?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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New Member
 United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Hi Spence, thanks for the reply. The coin is certainly not magnetic. But your reply doesn't surprise me either, my warning lights were flashing from the moment I saw it, but it was unfortunately too late by then. Reverse photo added.
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Moderator
United States
34397 Posts |
Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like you kinda knew this one was a problem. Thanks for putting up the other pic. That grey stained area is a bit odd on the rev and the mintmark looks off to me, but others with loads more experience in US classic gold will weigh in later today I'm sure.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Underweight, severely missing details on the obverse (Most of the hair curls behind the neck polished away on the die), denticals look bad, eagles body and tail missing below the shield. 99.99% sure this is a fake.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
It's fake. Without knowing the weight, which we do, this is easily spotted as a plated piece. The grey area on the reverse is where that plating has worn off, probably intentionally to prove falsehood by some previous owner.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Yes, I agree with the above comments. Sorry to say this piece is counterfeit.
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New Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Thanks all, a bit disappointing but fears confirmed and can move on. Can anyone tell me what the base metal is likely to be?
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Moderator
United States
187862 Posts |
 to the Community! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
 to the CCF! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
To be that close to the real weight, unless it is thicker than normal probably a lead based pewter. (Lead, tin and zinc)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
It is fake. Notice the lack of detail and relief on the obverse.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Even if it had a lead core, it would still weigh less than 12 grams. Having a weight of 15.9 grams means that the core is denser than lead. Thus, the core is probably tungsten (with a gold plating) or the core is composed of gold with a fineness of about 850, (not worth taking the effort to make such an alloy). Hence the coin is most probably a little thinner - (difficult to measure accurately), in the order 0.1 millimeter. XRF may not be of much use, due to the possibility of being plated with 900 fine gold. The next best test is to do a comparative ring tone. Take it to a bullion dealer or a coin dealer. and compare with a genuine coin. Such a test, all test being equal, would prove one of the below:- the coin is slightly thinner, the core is less dense, The core is composed of tungsten, (ring tone would be dull). Having said all of that, I think that it is a fake anyway.  , Conder101 has said it right, due to lack of design detail. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
It could also be slightly thicker and/or larger in diameter than spec nominal. Larger sizes sizes open up an array of possible compositions.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8715 Posts |
100% sure it's fake. Bad details and has that counterfeit "look."
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Since this coin is a fake it would probably be a good idea to have the sovereigns checked out as well.
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Replies: 18 / Views: 3,741 |
Posted 12/18/2017 03:51 am
