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 Replies: 32 / Views: 4,838 |
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
So this came in a lot of various coins that I picked up, and I was hoping that maybe the board could offer some assistance.   It weighs 12.36g, so I wasn't sure if 0.14g was a big difference. That suggests it's missing only 1.12% of its mass, which based on the apparent condition, seems reasonable I suppose. It seems a little high to me, but I have no idea what tolerances and ranges of weights were minted at this time. It passes the magnetic test. For what it's worth, it passes the sound test as well. I compared with another that I have and it sounded indiscernible. The only other thing that bothers me is the weak motto on the back. "IN GOD WE" doesn't seem legible at all, and "TRUST" is pretty weak. Could this be a combination of weak strike and/or cleaning? The is a little wear on the eagle feathers, but to have that worn so much more than everything else has me suspicious. If it is indeed real, would this grade as a VF? As a side note, are there any resources that mention the tolerances on weights of coins? Additionally, at what percentage weights do you generally start to get concerned? Thanks! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4692 Posts |
Eagle looks odd. Motto is especially weak and doubtful it is due to wear. I give it <25% chance it is not fake. Does it ring?
Edited by jimbucks
06/08/2019 7:11 pm
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Valued Member
 United States
164 Posts |
Is it common to see fakes that are that close in weight and size and pass magnetic tests?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
It does look strange with the motto almost completely missing and no evidence of, say, grease effects nearby.
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
It does ring, sounds pretty much exactly like an 1853 that I know is real.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
Here are some images I tried to get of the edges since I don't have calipers on me at the moment:   In the first image, the coin on the left is a worn AG 1876 half. The 1875 on the right. |
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
There's a process of burnishing that I've heard is applied to coins sometimes. What exactly is that? I've seen a coin that was burnished, and the reverse of this one reminds me of the dull effects of this other one I saw.
Under magnification, it seems like it has been cleaned. Lots of very thin, shallow, fine scratches going in all directions primarily in the background fields. If it is indeed real, it looks like it has toned since then.
I almost wonder if it got all crudy in VF or better condition and then someone cleaned/polished it up to where it is now. That might explain the uneven wear and the toning if it was an old cleaning. I don't have a ton of experience, but that would be my very uneducated guess.
Edited by chirrrs
06/08/2019 7:32 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Lack of sharp deviation between fields and elements is a dead giveaway to a counterfeit.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I agree - soft details, too-good-to-be-true fields.
Edited by Coinfrog
06/08/2019 7:40 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
It doesn't look like it was polished. Natural circulation can cause "Lots of very thin, shallow, fine scratches going in all directions"
Out of focus pics might be making others think this is fake
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
Yeah, I'll try to get better photos up tomorrow. This phone was having a tough time with focusing.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I've looked a thousands of LS quarters and halves and have never seen a missing motto like this. Just saying.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3663 Posts |
Quote:
Is it common to see fakes that are that close in weight and size and pass magnetic tests? Yes. Chinese counterfeits are imitating mass and specific gravity by using silver plated 86-87% Sn and 12-13% Zn alloy cores. They will also pass a magnetic test. What those fakes can't imitate are the ping test and the Eddy Current Slide test. EDIT: How many reeds does the coin have? According to Wiley & Bugert's Complete Guide, 1875 Philadelphia halves all had 144, 145, 154, or 156 reeds. Edited by fortcollins
06/08/2019 10:58 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Wear characteristics look odd to my eye.
Comparative diameter should be measured accurately
I enlarged the edge pictures on my screen.
Coin on the right is 13% thicker.
This leads me to the idea that a lower density alloy may have been used, and the extra thickness compensates for this.
A suspected different alloy leads me suggest that a comparative ping test should be carried out, against a common known genuine equivalent.
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Replies: 32 / Views: 4,838 |
Posted 06/08/2019 7:12 pm
