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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,525 |
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New Member
United States
45 Posts |
Hello, New member here something of a novice collecting coins looking forward to learning from others here.. I'd like to pick up a 1932 s or d Washington quarter but curious as to how big an issue is adding fake mint marks? In the case of this coin there would be a big incentive. Do you have tips on spotting fake mint marks? Should I just stick to graded/slabbed coins of this type? Thanks KF13 |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
 to CCF. Until you learn the ins and outs of faked coins,stick to slabbed ones by PCGS-NGC and ANACS. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
663 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
to the Community! |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
999 Posts |
I'm not sure how big an issue this is, but stick to reputable dealers.
Edited by Cdncoins
10/23/2019 11:15 am
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New Member
 United States
45 Posts |
There seems to be a fair amount of variety re: how mint marks look on Washington quarters. Some are "thin" and clear while others appear to be a big blob. Sometimes the blob hardly resembles the letter, even on coins with relatively little wear. If I buy a graded coin how many fakes get through? Are we talking 1% or 1 in 10,000 or 1 in a million? I know there is no definitive number but ballpark, how certain can a person be that the grading services haven't let a fake get through? I do realize that grade itself is more subjective. Thanks for all the welcomes. KF13 |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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If I buy a graded coin how many fakes get through? As long as you're talking about the reputable companies and not basement slabbers for 4th tier companies it is incredibly rare for a fake to get through or an added mint mark. If you were to purchase one of the the extremely rare instances of one getting through you're covered by their guarantee anyways |
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New Member
United States
45 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you want to play safe, just buy anything of value in a slab. However, today, even slabbed coins have been faked. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3628 Posts |
First, Most coin series have multiple websites providing detailed information on varieties, mint mark styles, markers for authentic coins, grading, etc. Key series have excellent books detailing each year of issue. For example, Liberty Seated coinage has books and websites providing a wealth of information, including the number of die pairs by year, known varieties, number of reeds on the edge for each year and mint, known counterfeits, and counterfeit identifiers. Take time to study the coins before buying. Learn their design quirks by year. Examine coins in hand at local shows, and don't be afraid to ask questions. As others have said upthread, reputable third party grading services do an excellent job authenticating coins. Grading is not always as accurate, so learn to grade the series for yourself and always buy the coin and not the grade opinion on the slab. Avoid the garbage slabbers and stick to the reliable services. Read the many threads on CCF regarding the different grading services, and see the range of comments and opinions. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:There seems to be a fair amount of variety re: how mint marks look on Washington quarters. This is true if you look at the series as a whole, but when you are looking as a single year, and especially a low mintage year. For the 32 S with a mintage of 408,000 there probably weren't more than three, maybe four rev dies, and they were probably all made (mintmarked) at the same time. So the chances are overwhelmingly likely that the is only one mintmark size and shape. |
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Valued Member
United States
231 Posts |
When I was starting out a a kid collector 30+ years ago I bought the 32 S and D from "trusted dealer" then kind of stopped collecting. Few weeks ago I brought both raw coins to a coin show and 2 dealers said the D looks "off" and thinking maybe fake. ugh
when I figure out how to take good close up pics with iphone I will post for opinion
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Pillar of the Community
United States
834 Posts |
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Take time to study the coins before buying. Learn their design quirks by year. Examine coins in hand at local shows, and don't be afraid to ask questions. @fortcollins speaks words of wisdom. Make yourself an expert before you invest in any coin. People can and will counterfeit coins regardless of value. They always have and always will. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,525 |
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Posted 10/23/2019 07:11 am
