Ok, the dirty secret is out now about the 1948 Silver dollars.Facts are that there are a quite a few fakes around, as NO die varieties are known as far as I know.
Personally I have discovered 3 different types of fakes. I have also discovered some fake 1945s and 1947s.
The trick to discover these is actually very easy. YOU
MUST have another authentic coin or a sharp authentic scan next to the suspect coin. OR, if you are experienced enough and have a sharp eye, you can detect the differences, or at least become suspicious
The trick to discover these is actually very easy. YOU MUST have another authentic coin or a sharp authentic scan next to the suspect coin. OR, if you are experienced enough and have a sharp eye and a good memory, you can detect the differences, or at least become suspicious enough to start digging. Some are very obvious. Others not.
The forgers have recognized their problems and have adjusted, but there are still tell tale signs.
TPG's have no problem grading a "close" fake, as usually a new version is very close to the real thing and
TPG's are fooled. ALSO, how often do they have TWO of the same kind to grade and compare. If luck has it,
they might both be fakes. And hence there is NOTHING to compare, except perhaps their own Photo library.
Coin # 1 was sold for 1050 USD by a very large and well known auction house. (You can guess for yourself which one)
The only problem is, the forger used the wrong Image of the king. I believe the Image used is that of the 1945 Dollar, however, I have not compared it.
The coin is described as AU, heavily cleaned. The auctions photographer skillfully removed all the scratches from the image, however, images of the actual unadulterated coin are also there. Take a look.
Well how would I like to have a 1000 of these heavily cleaned coins costing me 1 buck a piece and selling them for 1000..
But, I am sure there was NO bad intention on their part, as the coin is NOT certified.
Coin A is a Fake also for many reasons. Check it yourself. Also, the seller of this coin has 2 times previously sold Fake 1948 Dollars in Germany on
ebay. For one of them he was prosecuted on my initiative and fined.
This present coin is listed since January 2009. but not under any of the normal indicators or search terms. One has to now search his own web site and recognize the coin. It is a different forgery than the previous two.
The picture is purposely taken in a very shabby way so as NOT to show much details.
enough for now..but, perhaps more another day...
HHB
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Posted 06/14/2009 5:41 pm
