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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,700 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
I have what appears to be a 1998 two pound coin, in very poor circulated condition. I'm pretty sure it's a fake. It was among the effects of somebody who recently died. For a start, it's mono-metallic, and there is a lack of detail in the Queen's portrait: -    It weighs 13.2g At first I thought it was silver, it was well oxidised when I found it, and it cleaned up well with silver polish but I can't find anything that was minted that matches. Whatever the metal is, it's very soft. I'm beginning to think it's simply a fake. What do you think? |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
945 Posts |
 If it really is all one colour and soft metal, then it is definitely a fake. Probably a lead or pewter cast copy. Interesting collectible but of no great value. |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
to the Community! |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
251 Posts |
Regardless of its eventual status, I'd heavily advise against polishing any coin.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Could it be an annealing issue? John1  |
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New Member
 United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Thank you @PaddyB for confirming it's very likely counterfeit.
Also, thank you @John1. Please can you tell me how an annealing problem could result in a two-pound coin which looks like this?
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
17883 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
Welcome.
Just above the "1998" on the reverse, it appears that where there would be a tight groove between the two parts of a genuine coin is here filled in solid. Is this the case? If so, then this whole coin is just a single piece of metal and so a fake.
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Moderator
Australia
16806 Posts |
Absolutely 100% fake.
It probably originally came with some sort of paint or coating over the outer ring, to make it look more realistic.
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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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
 to the CCF! |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Definitely a fake. The edge lettering is crude, as is the micro-pattern in the centre of the reverse, which should only be barely visible even under good light. I've got one or two in my collection which I might put pics up of a bit later on. The fake old one pound coins were even worse! Welcome, and have fun!
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New Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Thank you all, I'm now quite sure it's a fake, but to answer the questions: -
It's not magnetic.
The groove width varies slightly around the circumference on both sides, and in places on the obverse the beading (?) is missing.
I suspect that, yes, it would have originally been painted, but that somebody cleaned it off, or it simply wore off, before it came into my hands.
I have a small collection of 50p £1 and £2 coins which I have kept when I've found them in my change, so I'll keep this one with them. My wife threatens to do as John Peel's wife apparently did and put them towards my funeral, so I'll make sure to clearly label it as a fake.
Thank you all for your help.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,700 |
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Posted 01/24/2024 10:38 am
