Posted 02/19/2011 9:35 pm
That's a tough one svslav - because the quality of minting was so inconsistent, there's just no straight answer for this.
For instance, it is not suprising to find silver coins to be struck from 26.4g to 26.8g even though they are supposed to be struck in 26.8g. Probably one is a lot better off eliminating the easier ones such as magnetic alloys (that's definitely out) and strange looking features. Any underweighted coins are definitely out as well such as under 25g. Of course no crazy mules either such as one side says it's struck in Kwangtung province and the other side says Hupeh province. It's relatively scarce and although it happens, you are much better off NOT getting such mules unless you are comfortable with what you are getting.
The real scary ones that the ones coming out the last couple of years as they are rumored to be struck with melted down worn Chinese silver coins. Might explain why fair bit of Chinese (counterfeiters?) are hoarding worn out silver coins. That throws the SG test out. Patina is not an issue either as they have found ways to deal with them. So is wear. Providence can be an issue as it's another pain to track if it's legit or not. Don't ever think of where the coins are sourced from because that's no longer numismatics - it just discriminates honest sellers. One is entitled to his / her own bias but it should not affect your judgement of determining the authencity.
Finally the most important thing I believe is, acknowledge what you are going to look for can be difficult AND expensive. Don't let greed take over and think you got a great deal, only to find out you got cheap counterfeits that most novices wouldn't fall for.
Knowledge is the key to tackle counterfeits. Don't give in to them as the only thing to drive them insane is you not giving them a slice of your money towards what they are doing illegally. You can drive their production cost up by not buying their cheap counterfeits. For a price reference, most Chinese crowns in good condition, not cleaned and chopmarked - you might be looking at the following: F 150USD, VF 300USD, XF 500USD, aUNC, 800USD, UNC 1000+USD. Again, this is my opinon so please don't quote me on these figures.
And no, don't use Krause for price reference as they are outdated by now. If there are sellers who price them according to Krause, hoard them and sell them for instant profit (after you have determined that they are genuine).
For instance, it is not suprising to find silver coins to be struck from 26.4g to 26.8g even though they are supposed to be struck in 26.8g. Probably one is a lot better off eliminating the easier ones such as magnetic alloys (that's definitely out) and strange looking features. Any underweighted coins are definitely out as well such as under 25g. Of course no crazy mules either such as one side says it's struck in Kwangtung province and the other side says Hupeh province. It's relatively scarce and although it happens, you are much better off NOT getting such mules unless you are comfortable with what you are getting.
The real scary ones that the ones coming out the last couple of years as they are rumored to be struck with melted down worn Chinese silver coins. Might explain why fair bit of Chinese (counterfeiters?) are hoarding worn out silver coins. That throws the SG test out. Patina is not an issue either as they have found ways to deal with them. So is wear. Providence can be an issue as it's another pain to track if it's legit or not. Don't ever think of where the coins are sourced from because that's no longer numismatics - it just discriminates honest sellers. One is entitled to his / her own bias but it should not affect your judgement of determining the authencity.
Finally the most important thing I believe is, acknowledge what you are going to look for can be difficult AND expensive. Don't let greed take over and think you got a great deal, only to find out you got cheap counterfeits that most novices wouldn't fall for.
Knowledge is the key to tackle counterfeits. Don't give in to them as the only thing to drive them insane is you not giving them a slice of your money towards what they are doing illegally. You can drive their production cost up by not buying their cheap counterfeits. For a price reference, most Chinese crowns in good condition, not cleaned and chopmarked - you might be looking at the following: F 150USD, VF 300USD, XF 500USD, aUNC, 800USD, UNC 1000+USD. Again, this is my opinon so please don't quote me on these figures.
And no, don't use Krause for price reference as they are outdated by now. If there are sellers who price them according to Krause, hoard them and sell them for instant profit (after you have determined that they are genuine).
My partial coin collection http://www.omnicoin.com/collection/gxseries
My numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htm
Regularly updated at least once a month.
My numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htm
Regularly updated at least once a month.
