Is this a modern reproduction of an 1801 Half?

STONE · December 21, 2011 4:56AM

1801 Half Dollar? (eBay)

This coin doesn't match a known die marriage and doesn't exactly look REAL, but it isn't a super obvious looking counterfeit unless you know the series.

Should this listing be reported?

relicsncoins · December 21, 2011 5:05AM

If it is fake, it's one of the better fakes I've seen.

DennisH · December 21, 2011 5:07AM

This is well out of my area of expertise, That said, the "look" doesn't seem quite right even to my eye. I look forward to seeing posts on this question by those who really know the series.

lakeshore · December 21, 2011 5:09AM

Date altered from 1806?

RichieURich · December 21, 2011 5:14AM

The edge of the coin looks very smooth considering the amount of wear on the rest of the coin. Other than that, don't know and haven't taken the time to research it.

TomB · December 21, 2011 5:17AM

There is no stem through the claw. It is not an 1801.

relicsncoins · December 21, 2011 5:22AM

Here is the coin so people don't have to link to ebay.

DennisH · December 21, 2011 5:25AM

<< There is no stem through the claw. It is not an 1801. >>

That's the kind of insight I was hoping to see! Thanks TomB. Now, does knowing it's NOT an 1801 make it possible to nail down the die marriage identification and determine the host coin's real date?

Aegis3 · December 21, 2011 5:28AM

The general mushiness of the coin makes me think it's an out-and-out counterfeit instead of an altered date. Probably Chinese from a couple of years ago.

DennisH · December 21, 2011 5:30AM

The date is extremely bold compared to the rest of the coin. I presume that is not a characteristic of real coins of that date and grade range?

stealer · December 21, 2011 5:33AM

<< The date is extremely bold compared to the rest of the coin. I presume that is not a characteristic of real coins of that date and grade range? >>

I think that is a red flag for just about every series of coin as being a fake.

TomB · December 21, 2011 5:35AM

<< 

<< There is no stem through the claw. It is not an 1801. >>

That's the kind of insight I was hoping to see! Thanks TomB. Now, does knowing it's NOT an 1801 make it possible to nail down the die marriage identification and determine the host coin's real date? >>

I think it is a counterfeit.

RYK · December 21, 2011 5:35AM

COIN PHOTO IS THE ONE YOU WILL RECEIVE

Thanks for the warning.

It's fake.

shorecoll · December 21, 2011 6:20AM

If real unknown variety, it would be worth well into 6-figures, many BHNC members track all busties on eBay, current bid $100, therefore fake.

CaptHenway · December 21, 2011 6:42AM

Absatively counterfeit!
TD

Edited to add: Reported.

Nysoto · December 21, 2011 6:48AM

Cast counterfeit made from an 1806 O.109 that was used as a mold. The 180 in the date was made deeper and wider, and the 1 was added. The higher relief of the date is one tip-off as a fake. Also, the hub style used in 1801 to mid-1805 is different than 1806-1807. There are differences in the ribbon, top curl, and drapery of the two hub sub-varieties. The first hub has slightly higher relief with Miss Liberty.

PerryHall · December 21, 2011 6:58AM

Looks like it's made out of lead. Perhaps it's a contemporary counterfeit and was made in the early 1800's with the intent to silver plate it and pass it as a half dollar.

BillJones · December 21, 2011 6:59AM

<< Here is the coin so people don't have to link to ebay.

>>

The 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1805 half dollars were struck in higher relief than this is. This looks like a worn 1806 and 1807 half dollar. As such I would not call it a "good fake" because those who have examined the real thing in detail could spot it farily easily.

gonzer · December 21, 2011 7:23AM

The photo looks straight out of Spadone's book.

relicsncoins · December 21, 2011 7:27AM

<< 

<< Here is the coin so people don't have to link to ebay.

>>

The 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1805 half dollars were struck in higher relief than this is. This looks like a worn 1806 and 1807 half dollar. As such I would not call it a "good fake" because those who have examined the real thing in detail could spot it farily easily. >>

Good fake is relative. Yes, probably not a good fake to those whos collect and study this series. However, a bad fake to me is one I don't have to look at a book to determine it is fake.

DennisH · December 21, 2011 9:48AM

Auction has been yanked by eBay

RYK · December 21, 2011 10:30AM

Here is my authentic 1801. IIRC, there are only two die pairs.

shorecoll · December 21, 2011 11:57AM

RYK...I'm sorry..but that isn't GOLD.

BillJones · December 21, 2011 10:29PM

<< RYK...I'm sorry..but that isn't GOLD.

>>

Yea, but it's as good as gold.

The 1801 and 1802 half dollars are way cool. The trouble is I can't collect everything so I don't have one.

Is this a modern reproduction of an 1801 Half?

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