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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,203 |
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Valued Member
United States
110 Posts |
Hey guys, I am working on a bulk purchase of some gold coins for what I believe to be a good price... Despite the pictures low res, most coins seem to be the genuine mccoy - especially given their weights are correct. That said, the mint mark on this 1880 S $10 coin is not in the same location as the PCGS or NGC specimen's when I searched their databases for relevant information. Is the mint mark location an indicator that the coin is a fake, or is this something that is somewhat common or even rare but known to exist?   I appreciate any and all insight. Thanks in advance! |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Not my area,but on LMC' the mint mark was applied by hand on each working die,so the placement varies. Maybe the same for gold? John1  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Not my area either, but the mintage (506K) suggests to me the possibility of more than 1 reverse die.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5029 Posts |
That is a long way from where the mint mark should be. It should be left of the feathers on the arrow not under and to the right. So at first glance I think either the coin is altered to add the mintmark or it is fake. BUT not my specialty either so I will be glad to see some gold coin experts jump in and provide some input and possible opportunity to learn something.
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Valued Member
 United States
110 Posts |
Hey guys, I appreciate the input! I did a quick search on ebay and found a single graded 1880 S with the same mint mark location (albeit with terrible pictures) -> https://www.ebay.com/itm/193310410447So, maybe John1 + Coinfrog are correct? Would love further clarification from a knowledgeable fellow collector! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5029 Posts |
well I would have not thought a MM to be placed so far from where most you see are located but looks like it was. I pulled that coin up you linked us too on NGC as well to verify. Picture is still not great but clearly shows MM well to the right of what I call "normal" placement. I have learned something today  |
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
It's not my expertise as I'm mostly a Morgan dollar collector, but to me the coin looks a bit "off". The mintmark is definitely in the wrong place, although I have seen the S mark in the same location on other specimens, but I don't know if they're fake or not. My recommendation is to not buy any gold coins that are not certified, as they are a favorite target for counterfeiters. A wrongly-placed mintmark is a telltale sign of a fake coin. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
I agree with John 1 an Coinfrog. The graded specimen likely corroborates as well. This variable degree of placement continued even until fairly modern times. I know there is a 1975 D nickel sought after b/c the MM almost touches the date.
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Valued Member
United States
110 Posts |
@ Morgan Nerd
I think the coin is fine otherwise, I have a good number of graded and ungraded gold coins in my collection... That said, when I can buy gold at melt/spot, I don't really care if they are ungraded. I only bother with graded or grading coins if I feel they are MS 64/better or incredibly rare. I have a sigma metalytics Precious metal verifier pro, so worst case scenario I know what I have is gold - and if it is not I either don't buy or get my money back if it was an online auction.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
There is a certified example in the Heritage auction archives with identical mintmark placement so that feature seems not to be a problem. The coin surfaces look non-original but detail is close to uncirculated. This is common gold coin; looks authentic to me.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Earle42, The mint stopped hand punching mint marks in 1990,1989 was the last year for RPM's. John1 |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,203 |
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Posted 10/27/2020 10:43 am
