Mexico 8 Reales 1818 GA

There is an uneven wear on the reverse that makes me question the authenticity of the coin. Besides that this coin is one of the most heavily counterfeited coin. If it costs more than a $100-$200, I would suggest getting a graded coin if you are into slabs.

Here's the auction in question. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...t_3619wt_907

I had some questions too, but after reviewing the other items the seller has, their location, and their past feedback, I would personally feel comfortable bidding on it.

That said... Should you do what I would do? Probably not. Do what feels right to you. There will always be other opportunities.

Thank you very much for your valuable comments.

Before the discussion gets off target, I would like to comment that the bust and the rest of the coin is an exact match for the correct design shown in Calbetto's book. The design of the Ga portrait is slightly dissimilar to preceding years but is in line with the Zs portrait punch and may have come from the same master. There is NO problem with the portrait design.

So I would say that the design is correct.

The picture is almost clear enough so that I can say it appears to be consistent with a period strike on a screw press. However, screw presses are still in use to make copies and I do have some slight concerns about the physics of the strike. If I knew nothing about the seller and only had the photo - I would conclude counterfeit.

The real problem I have is the recent appearance of this date and style in large numbers on ebay. There is rarely a month that goes by without the 1818 Ga appearing. That NEVER used to happen. The recent examples are typically well preserved with high levels of eye appeal. That raises my suspicions whenever an "undocumented hoard" appears suddenly. However, I have seen examples (very similar not determined to be identical) coming out of China. I am very concerned this date/mint has been added to the forger's inventory.

So what is this coin? Definitely it looks real, but without seeing it in hand I would not say with 100% confidence that it was either Real or Not. But I am suspicious even though the seller is from the US and I have never had a problem with dealing with him. The seller is an honest upright seller in my opinion.

I would base any decision to bid or not to bid on my confidence in the source. I would write to the seller and ask where he got it? How long he has had it? What his guarantee is? Can he wait until the coin goes to a TPG or other expert and then to provide a refund? I would simply want to trust that I could find the seller after the coin was authenticated.

It is unfortunate but true that in today's market it is becoming essential for coins which have known counterfeit counterparts to be slabbed. I hate slabbing but as the inventory of good fakes increases that a top tier slab is the only acceptable guarantee.

I stand corrected. Thanks for more info, swamperbob.

With my small knowledge, I'd say that the coin looks fine :)

The specimen above looks extremely fine to me.
I am more concerned on some verdigris (greenish substance) that are beginning to spreadout in the fields and between letters of the obverse. It will definitely thicken in a short period of time if the coin will be placed in a pvc flip. I would suggest for a short acetone wash before you place it on a 2x2 mylar coin storage for album maybe or an airtight capsule...

Many thanks to all who made valuable comments. I appreciate them very much.