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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,654 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Hi there, I'm new here so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place, I was sorting through an old jar of coins and found this 20p piece which is slightly rounded (I am aware this may have been done intentionally by somebody) however the writing and images on the coin are quite a bit larger and more spaced out than my other 20p coins, even though it is the same size. The image of the queen also appears to be very distorted. The writing almost comes off the edge and strangely though, it's quite a bit thinner than the hundreds of other other 20p coins I have considering it's the same diameter as the others. Is it a fake? A misprint? Or is this just a regular old coin? Thanks for all the help, again if this is in the wrong place please let me know and I will delete the post. Thanks for entertaining my curiosity! (I've attached images below, the distorted coin is the bottom coin, normal top coin for comparison)   |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
17922 Posts |
Hello and  Please could you post larger photos of just the suspect 1999 coin, and right way up if possible? Also, if you have some accurate scales, please could you weigh it? I am wondering if it could be a cast fake (whoever would want to fake a 20p?) or a genuine 20p that's had a very rough life, maybe dropped on the road, buried, exposed to acid and then put back into circulation. I am sure other members will have their theories! |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
21602 Posts |
I am leaning towards it being a counterfeit. There are two many variations on the coin to attribute it to any sort of PMD. Look at the outline of the head, spacing between the letters, font style etc. PMD could not change these. ( Unless of course if there is another variety I'm not aware of.) |
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
to the Community! Your post was moved to the appropriate forum for the proper attention.  |
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New Member
 United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Again sorry if I've done this wrong, I couldn't figure out how to directly reply to someone haha! I've attached some clearer and closer images of the coin, I didn't have any accurate scales to weigh it. thanks for all the replies   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
to the CCF! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
17922 Posts |
Quote:Look at the outline of the head, spacing between the letters, font style etc. PMD could not change these. The two coins are of different types. The 1989 (normal) coin has the Maklouf portrait and the 1999 (abused) coin has the Rank-Broadley portrait. The font and size of the obverse legend is different on each type. Here are photos of the two types:   |
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Moderator
Australia
16817 Posts |
Hello and welcome. I would tend to agree with the "counterfeit" theory; the damage just seems too oddly inconsistent with anything resembling regular wear and tear. The only possible explanation for a genuine coin looking like this is acid damage, and/or spending some time in a rock polisher. The 20p coin is made of solid cupronickel, there aren't too many acids that could attack cupronickel like this. But the damage appears to be inconsistent with either of these explanations by itself, either. So unless it was both polished in a polisher then hit by acid, I really can't explain it. Occam's Razor: a counterfeit is the easiest explanation, so it is the one most likely to be true. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
4628 Posts |
I am of the opinion that coin is a fake too. It looks like a very crude copy and amazed it would fool many. I would keep it as a curiosity.
And welcome to our friendly little forum!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1610 Posts |
Quote:
The only possible explanation for a genuine coin looking like this is acid damage, and/or spending some time in a rock polisher.
I would think a month or so on a sandy or pebbly beach with lots of wave activity would make a pretty good rock polisher.  Edited by David Graham
11/08/2022 3:31 pm
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Valued Member
United States
413 Posts |
I am sorry but I would have to concur with others' opinions here that your 20p is more likely to be counterfeit. I am surprised they would counterfeit a low denomination coin like 20p! I would understand if it is £1 or £2 coin. Everyday one learnt something new! Thank you for sharing your 20p with us. And do enjoy our community! |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,654 |
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Posted 10/12/2022 5:09 pm
