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 Replies: 36 / Views: 5,237 |
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Valued Member
 United States
56 Posts |
"...The main red flag is the mushy devices - too few details for such a high grade coin." I think this is the main point. This mushiness indicates that the metal or alloy content is below par. I have been focusing on the idea that a cleaning could result in the same lack of sharpness, but it would not change the quality of the metal. "the Liberty in the shield looks off. I would beware. Seeing as the seller is quite experienced, but possibly less familiar with US coinage, I would assume no ill intent...." Yeah I am not considering this for purchase, just really interested in the detection process. I don't think the seller knows - most all of their other items are badges, medals, etc. and in fact this is their only coin! They have 100% feedback and 23,000+ transactions, so I doubt they would want to risk it if they knew. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Mushy is almost always the tell tale sign of fake with few exceptions. This is supposed to be a late date S not an early O and if you go through the coin facts images of them even the VF 35 is sharper than the coin in the listing. It also just flat out doesn't look right compared to others which is another thing the fakes struggle with.
A good rule of thumb is that if you have to talk yourself into thinking something's real is very likely isn't. High grade raw examples that make you think twice are almost always a situation where a buyer should run
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
Quote:
The dentils do look sharp in the original listing photo. I should have been clearer, the dentils look weird at 6:00. Red flag to me. Quote:
[ can someone share how to quote the previous message ?] Under the full reply option there is an icon that allows you to "insert quote". Edited by Joe2007
01/21/2018 4:14 pm
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Ok thanks to all for considering this. I messaged the seller with a heads-up. We'll see what happens.
[& thanks Joe2007 for the tip. I guess my outdated browser does not allow that icon to show.]
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
reverse...  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
You can also manually insert a quote by putting the word quote in brackets then paste the quote and close it out with the word quote once again in brackets but with a forward slash before the word (within the brackets)
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
The rim looks funky to me. Could be real, did the mint do any that poor?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
I did search the no-no site and found only an 1888, not an 1888-S, and there was not much similarity. 1888-S is not a scarce date for Liberty Seated quarters, and with most of the diagnostics on this coin matching a known Briggs variety, I see no reason to doubt the authenticity; "mushiness" can be caused by a wide variety of things ranging from weak strike pressure, to die wear, greased dies, and PMD such as abrasive cleaning. Without a weight measurement and metal content testing such as XRF, I would be loath to brand this coin as a fake. Many of the no-no site coins and others are being made with non-magnetic alloys, and sometimes genuine silver plating, so while the magnet test is highly specific for fakes, it is very non-sensitive, to use a medical analogy. Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Quote:
You can also manually insert a quote by putting the word quote in brackets then paste the quote and close it out with the word quote once again in brackets but with a forward slash before the word (within the brackets) Thanks!  Quote:
The rim looks funky to me. Could be real, did the mint do any that poor? No they didn't. Now that I see the reverse rim better there is the change in thickness. Thanks for adding that image debrajc . |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Quote:
I would also collect chocolate coins, except for that one problem. Interesting you should say that. The reverse has the distinct look of a foil-wrapped chocolate coin. Especially in the feathers. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I side with Adam on this. The 1888-S was churned out with the highest mintage by far over the prior ten years, and I believe it is noted for being a slick-looking softer strike.
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Quote:I did search the no-no site and found only an 1888, not an 1888-S, and there was not much similarity. 1888-S is not a scarce date for Liberty Seated quarters, and with most of the diagnostics on this coin matching a known Briggs variety, I see no reason to doubt the authenticity; "mushiness" can be caused by a wide variety of things ranging from weak strike pressure, to die wear, greased dies, and PMD such as abrasive cleaning. Without a weight measurement and metal content testing such as XRF, I would be loath to brand this coin as a fake. Many of the no-no site coins and others are being made with non-magnetic alloys, and sometimes genuine silver plating, so while the magnet test is highly specific for fakes, it is very non-sensitive, to use a medical analogy. Well that was my first impression that it was altered surfaced on a genuine coin. Wow, this has come full circle, just when everyone had me convinced the other way. Gerry Fortin has weighed in with a brief response and I am waiting to hear back from Brian Greer. I thought it was important enough to ask the heavy hitters to offer their ideas. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
It could well be. I owned a couple of very forgettable high grade 1888-S quarters twenty odd years ago.
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Replies: 36 / Views: 5,237 |
First Page
Posted 01/21/2018 4:06 pm
