Found In A Major Auction Inventory

Wow, I've met the Ponterios, and they truly are Mexican experts. We've brought coins we thought were counterfeits to him, but weren't completely sure on, and just by weight in his hand, he knew for fact they weren't real. He then would show us what to look for in the designs to verify fakeness. Mad respect for him.

As a follow-up.

I received this note today from the Auction House:




I confirmed the list against the online catalog and my notes to see if all my suspects were removed. Only one from my suspect list remains! That coin was most suspicious because of "guilt by association".

There were 42 lots withdrawn - one less than my list of Cap and Ray Counterfeits 18 plus 25 suspects in the pillar and portrait categories (total 43). Ponterio let one Pillar get by as an original. It is a 1744 with a recut date, lumps in the fields and it was edged post strike. As noted above, I thought it should be checked because of the oddly recut date and field lumps. But if he says it is real I would go with that opinion because I never claimed to be an expert on Pillar issues. Still 42 out of 43 is not bad at all.

Much to my relief the Cap and Rays were confirmed at 100% which makes me feel very good - the minimum estimates for just the 18 Cap and Ray coins was 5370 Pounds.

I just hope that cancellation here does not simply mean the coins are shipped off to another unsuspecting auction house - or ebay! I would support a law or rule requiring that coins like this (modern Numismatic Frauds) be permanently marked "ALTERED" to preclude their sale as anything but curios before they are returned to the owner. Even giving the owner the benefit of the doubt - these coins got MUCH TOO CLOSE to being sold as legitimate rarities. It could happen again.