Interestingly Weird Bust Half (Contemp Counterfeit)

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,581
Amazon99 Pillar of the Community United States 2443 Posts	Posted 04/06/2009 7:36 pm So I bought this 1838 contemporary counterfeit bust half off of ebay not too long ago. A contemporary counterfeit according to Coin Community's glossary is "A coin, usually base metal, struck from crudely engraved dies and made to pass for face value at the time of its creation". Weight: 13.7 grams Actual weight: 13.36 grams Diameter: Height: 34mm Width: 33.5mm Actual diameter: 30mm Obverse image diameter: 30mm It should be reeded but it isn't. The planchet is uneven. For 1838, it should say "FIFTY CENTS" and not "50 C". My guess is that it was a trial piece for counterfeiter. According to http://www.coincommunity.com/coin_f...ped_bust.asp 1807-1836 bust halves were 32-33mm while the 1836-1839 were 30mm. So I think that a 1807-1836 reverse style was used, making it look off centered. Also the planchet has some flaws, like the raised area that goes into the 50 in "50 C" and on the obverse to the right is also a raised lip. My question is why is the obverse image smaller than the reverse? Also, does anyone know what Davignon number it could be? Any ideas or comments are welcomed. Report this Post to the Staff

TreasHunt Pillar of the Community United States 2540 Posts	Posted 04/07/2009 06:23 am Nice piece, I have one also. Nice history to them. Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 04/07/2009 2:43 pm Quote: why is the obverse image smaller than the reverse? The answer is right in your own posting. Quote: 1807-1836 bust halves were 32-33mm while the 1836-1839 were 30mm. The reverse die was 2 mm larger than the obv die and the planchet fits the rev die. Report this Post to the Staff
jfransch Pillar of the Community United States 1801 Posts	Posted 04/09/2009 9:47 pm looks like Davignon obv 7/ rev H. Should have faint lettering on the edge, not reeding. Listed as rare Report this Post to the Staff
Jim Archibald Valued Member United States 198 Posts	Posted 04/10/2009 07:16 am Is the Davignon reference sited a reference on Bust Half counterfeits or Bust Half's in general? What's the full title? I'm building a numismatic bibliography in my group and am trying to list all standard references by coin type. ~ Jim Report this Post to the Staff
jfransch Pillar of the Community United States 1801 Posts	Posted 04/10/2009 10:29 pm The reference book is "Contemporary Counterfeit capped bust half dollar Dollars" by Keith R Davignon. It's a really interesting book available quite often on ebay and Amazon.com Report this Post to the Staff
Jim Archibald Valued Member United States 198 Posts	Posted 04/11/2009 07:50 am Thank you! Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,581

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