Thank you!
to CCF
Posted 10/03/2011 3:59 pm
Welcome!
I agree with WWhitman, this coin looks suspicious (i.e., possibly counterfeit). The color is dull and grayish and details look mushy. The texture in the fields, particularly on the reverse, seems wavy and/or pebbly which is a common feature of counterfeits. The 3-dollar gold piece is one of the most-frequently counterfeited series so you need to be very cautious about buying these.
The 1886 is a very scarce coin, with just 1142 pieces made. In this grade (apparently EF-45 or so, likely cleaned) it would still be worth $1500 or more so counterfeiters can make a big profit if they can find a buyer for their fakes.
Check the weight; a real coin weighs 5.015 grams. If weight is OK you might try sending it to ANACS for authentication. My gut feeling: this one is a fake.
I agree with WWhitman, this coin looks suspicious (i.e., possibly counterfeit). The color is dull and grayish and details look mushy. The texture in the fields, particularly on the reverse, seems wavy and/or pebbly which is a common feature of counterfeits. The 3-dollar gold piece is one of the most-frequently counterfeited series so you need to be very cautious about buying these.
The 1886 is a very scarce coin, with just 1142 pieces made. In this grade (apparently EF-45 or so, likely cleaned) it would still be worth $1500 or more so counterfeiters can make a big profit if they can find a buyer for their fakes.
Check the weight; a real coin weighs 5.015 grams. If weight is OK you might try sending it to ANACS for authentication. My gut feeling: this one is a fake.
