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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,677 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1077 Posts |
I am considering buying this Swiss 5 Francs (last coin I need for a 20th century type set), and wondered if anyone is enough of an expert on them to comment on whether or not it appears genuine? I am so worried these days by the number of chinese fakes. It looks quite grey, but I think that may be down to the scan. Any opinions greatly appreciated, Thanks!   |
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New Member
United States
27 Posts |
Saw this as an orphan post, really not following you around QS.
Have you asked the seller to confirm the weight?
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Seller have 100% but the coins are all older silver types. Some of the kinda bother me such as this one   |
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Valued Member
United States
365 Posts |
I am a fairly regular collector of Swiss coins, and all I can say is what you already know: you do have to be really careful. The big Swiss 5ers are certainly targets. I can't see anything wrong with the coin pictured but, the best thing you can do is buy stuff you get to see in hand first, buy from trustworthy dealers, or buy only when you know you can return it. If you get it and are still uncertain, take it to a couple dealers. There was an interesting article in a recent issue of CoinWorld magazine in the US about the Chinese fakes--actually, I should say frightening. At a recent major coin expo, a journalist took a mix of Chinese fakes and real coins to various dealers and the number of veteran, professional coin dealers who failed to recognize the fakes was pretty startling. Moral of the story to my mind is to err on the side of caution. -SCERES |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
While this isn't a coin I've ever seen in-hand, but having seen a few pressure-cast fakes of world coins, I think the details on this 5 Fr are reassuring (imo). I don't think this could be a die-struck fake because the details are too close to the real coin pictured below. Of course, this is why they often use a real coin to make a mold as it's far easier than tooling a die. However, pressure-case fakes often drop out important details that are sitting low in the fields. Here I would expect to see weak, interrupted lines within the shield on the reverse. In the case above, those lines look clean, consistent and show wear where I'd expect. That's not a guarantee of authenticity, but it looks consistent for a VF-EF coin. (imo) As others say, it's good to be very careful.  Genuine 5 Fr, AU58 PCGS, taken from Heritage Auctions:  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
1077 Posts |
That's a beautiful coin!
Thanks for the opinions. I'll make sure there is a return policy and take a punt on it. Cheers!
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Valued Member
Netherlands
376 Posts |
Swiss 5 francs is restrike, as well as American. Swiss money was reproduced by Bulgarian counterfeiters in the 1980-1990 period.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1077 Posts |
Hi Eric,
Are you saying these were restruck at some time by the Americans? I was not aware of that. When was that done?
Did the Bulgarians counterfeit this particular coin , or current coins at the time? i.e. in the 80's and 90's.
What is your opinion on this one?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Eric, really? Now that's a better copy than I would expect. Perhaps you could point out what on the coin is suggestive of a restrike?  Thanks for your time. |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,677 |
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Posted 02/18/2009 12:10 am
