Something looks "fishy" (warning - large images)

TwoKopeiki · September 13, 2006 12:24PM

If you remember my post last week about 4 new coins - you'll recognize this Baden Thaler below. The reason for my suspicion is that Ecu de Navarre in the set looked to be an old cast counterfeit (which i returned to the seller). Please check out the large images and tell me that I'm not 100% paranoid.

Here are the things that are bothering me:

There is no "waterline" of a cast - the edge seems perfect, although there's an area on 5 o'clock on the obverse that can be indicative of a "pour entry". This area contain scratches on the obverse, odd edge disturbance and corresponding break in the denticles on the reverse.

Also, check out the lettering on the reverse. Some letters appear to have a 45-degree "cut" at the base. My numismatic experience is limited, but It feels "odd" ....

Also, the year and "X Eine F Marck" appear to be flatter that the rest of the design. As if "shrunk".

There's also "pitting" over "R" in "Marck".

So ... can all of those things can are normal? I simply don't know enough about Talers of that period.

What do you think?

~Roman.

P.S. The weight is 28g.

Aethelred · September 13, 2006 12:41PM

That coin looks fine to me.

1960NYGiants · September 13, 2006 1:10PM

<< <i>That coin looks fine to me. >>

Me too. The last pix with the purple box shows an area of planchet adjustment. The flan was weighed prior to striking, if too heavy, a rough file was used to shave it down to proper weight.

TwoKopeiki · September 13, 2006 9:47PM

Thanks for the input, guys. Gene, First thing I thought of when I saw the "scratches" was planchet shaving to adjust the weight, since I have a copper 8Reales from 1813 with similar abrasions, but would it affect the entire coin? Both sides and the rim?

~Roman

Aethelred · September 13, 2006 10:19PM

Roman,

From the photo it does not look like the adjustment marks inpact the entire coin, but they could. I have seen coins where adjustment marks cover most of one side of a coin and they can make the flan thinner in one area which will make the strike appear weak in that area. From a point of authenticty I see them as a very good sign that the coin is real and the weight on that coin is within range.

danglen · September 13, 2006 10:47PM

Looks real to me. Doesn't have that "melted ice cream" look of a cast counterfeit.

lordmarcovan · September 16, 2006 6:03PM

I'm with the others. Looks fine to me. If it's fake, it would've fooled me.

1jester · September 16, 2006 7:17PM

To me it looks absolutely genuine.

And very pretty too!

Cruzi · September 16, 2006 9:22PM

The adjustment marks could easily affect the metal flow on the other side of the coin causing them to be not fully struck.

Absolutely stunning piece !!!

Oops , I see the Dead King explained it much better earlier

Dentuck · September 17, 2006 10:16AM

Excellent photographs.

TwoKopeiki · September 17, 2006 11:49AM

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Makes me feel much less paranoid now.

Dentuck, thank you for a compliment - i'm still learning the ropes when it comes to coin imaging

Something looks &quot;fishy&quot; (warning - large images)

Comments

Something looks "fishy" (warning - large images)