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 Replies: 25 / Views: 3,920 |
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
With all the talk of counterfeits, I'm growing suspicious of my Trade dollar. I bought it raw off ebay a while ago for about $80. If it's real, I figure I got a pretty good deal. The color in the pictures is a little weird. The color looks pretty normal in my hand. I'm guessing it probably has been cleaned. I'm just hoping it's real. What do you think? Phil   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
Well, It's hard to imagine you'd get one that nice for $80. :/ Have you weighed it?
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Valued Member
 United States
151 Posts |
I haven't weighed it. I don't have a good scale. I could bring it in to work and weigh it but that would have to wait until Tuesday.
Would a fake weigh more or less or am I just looking for not correct?
Also, the fact that I got it so cheap is what's making me suspect something may be wrong. Maybe other people looking at the pics (these are the ones from the listing) saw something that I missed.
Edited by pfriddle
05/28/2010 6:19 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1418 Posts |
Chances are a fake would be lighter, but I would just look for incorrect.
Edited by tumbleweedtrumpet
05/28/2010 6:18 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
A fake one could weigh less or more. It should be very close to the mint spec. I don't see any red flags from the pic, but it's a game of chance buying raw on ebay. If the weight checks out, best off sending it out to be certified. |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
Nothing screams "fake" about it, but images are too small to be sure. Can you get a sharp closeup photo of part of the reeded edge?
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1934 Posts |
I count nearly 14 denticles directly under your date. I count 12 under the image of another of the same coin.
I dont like the position of the "Y" in LIBERTY on the banner.
These are uneducated observations.
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
the edge reeding doesn't look too good to me. the length and shape of the 'grooves' looks rather variable, some of them almost appear perfectly elliptical. compare with this image I made, with a genuine TD in the center, and a fake on either side:  If you can look closely inside the 'grooves,' genuine ones have linear striations that run from edge to edge. The fakes don't, and you often see rough/granular metal in them. Hope this helps. |
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
This is tough. I can't see inside the grooves well enough to say one way or another. I'll try to get better pics when my girlfriend is back in town with a better camera.
On the bright side, if I did buy a fake, at least it's not a really obvious fake.
Maybe the weight will clearly show something.
I think if we can't really tell from better pics or the weight, I'll just live with it. I bought this for my 7070 (still have a bunch of holes) so I don't really want to pay to get it slabbed and then crack it out when it gets back.
Thanks for the help.
Phil
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
For $80 its a good filler, and you didnt get burned too hard. So even if its fake, I'd say stick with it until you can afford an AU slabbed one.
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
I've got a follow up question. What should I do with it if it is a fake? It's still worth ~$13 in silver, maybe a little more to someone with an interest in Trade dollars or fakes or whatever. I think I'd be ok selling it as a "copy" but there's nothing stopping somebody from buying it from me cheap and reselling it as real for a nice profit. If it is a fake, I'd like to minimize my loss but I certainly don't want to be a part of tricking somebody into overpaying for a fake. What do you think? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
I'd keep it as a reminder and chalk it up to a learning experience. If the weight is right, it still might be worth sending in to ANACS for a professional opinion with the coin in hand...or have a local dealer look at it. If it turns out to be fake and you're going to sell it, you have got to be really careful and only sell it to someone you trust that wont turn around and abuse it.
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
isn't it illegal to ship fakes across state lines?
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Valued Member
United States
76 Posts |
Just my opinion, but I wouldn't buy a raw Trade dollar on ebay and have shied away from buying raw classic coins, particularly those costing over $150. Way too many fakes and damaged coins out there---- plus I sense that the TPGraders are being much more stringent and defer many close calls to NCS or "Genuine." Would only buy expensive or classic US coins raw if you have no interest or concern for possible future sale. |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
What do you think about getting a set of cheap letter punches and stamping "copy" into the surface?
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Replies: 25 / Views: 3,920 |
Posted 05/28/2010 6:17 pm
