What's wrong with this 1889-S dollar?
airplanenut
Posts: 22,149 ✭✭✭✭✭
This piece has been through a lot, and I'm trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with it. For starters, the weight is right and it rings like silver.
What I specifically don't like is that the date looks a bit off, and while the fields look cleaned in general, the fact that the protected areas around the date are so clean means that the date area was either really scrubbed, or something else funny happened there. The other letters look a bit off, but that could be from cleaning. Above IGWT is some damage I can't quite figure out, but it's not good whatever it may be.
When I first took a glance at the coin I thought it might be counterfeit. After looking at it more, I'm wondering if the things I think look off are just the result of significant damage or if there may be an authenticity problem that's been masked (perhaps purposely) by the damage.
What do you think?
Comments
Looks like a Chinese product.
Wassup with that big crease above the date? Peace Roy
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Beijing mint special?
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Looks like a fake to me.... even the reverse around 'States' is bad.... Cheers, RickO
Nothing is wrong with the 1889-S except it is counterfeit.
just abused
BHNC #203
Genuine 100% counterfeit.
I agree that it just doesn't look right. The abuse was probably intended to make it appear more authentic. It is possible, though, that it is a genuine coin that spent a long time buried and then was harshly cleaned.
"It is possible, though, that it is a genuine coin that spent a long time buried and then was harshly cleaned."
Nope
In hand, all of that light grey looks like an area that's been specifically targeted for a very harsh cleaning. The "crease" looks like an area where some parts were really scrubbed, but the darker area skipped. That's different from the area between the digits, where every last bit of the fields looks scrubbed.
Return it while you still can. Die markers match known counterfeit from China.
100% Fake
While this assessment makes sense, the coin is also dark enough that if this is the case, the cleaning had to have been done some time ago and was wildly inconsistent. This is where I was first thrown... it gives off the wrong vibes, but still has something going for it that is at least plausible. I've never held one of the newer counterfeits before, and overall, I'm impressed with it in that it did give me pause. The old ones where the weight was off, the coin didn't ring, or Lady Liberty had a double chin were much more obvious.
The coin isn't mine, so there's no worry about my being out anything (if I can be selfish for a moment). But even when it's not my coin, if I have the chance to confirm my theory about a piece or learn something, I'll post it.
Counterfeit. Looks like they tried to artificially age it by darkening the devices.
I’m not disputing there being something odd looking but why make a fake 89-s why not cc?
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
They make that too. Almost all dates & mint marks are produced out of China.
(Almost) never say the product is too good to be a counterfeit.
There was another thread where a much better looking coin than this one was proven to be a fake by @ ifthevamzarockin .
If there is the slightest hint of doubt, don't ignore it.
shanghi mint maybe?
There are two sides to this argument. If you make a CC, it's worth way more. If the piece I have is actually silver (it sounds like it), then as a circulated example, it's still got a fair amount of the value a similar genuine example would have. But while the CC is worth a lot more, it's also the kind of coin that's much harder to sell raw. Send me an 89-CC in this condition and it's getting graded no matter how sure I am of it.
They make them all for about 25 cents each so anything they sell them for is profit. It is silver plated not solid silver. If you do run across a 1889 CC please post it here before you send it for grading. You seem to still have a question about this coin being authentic. Look at the raised lines in the field around the last A of America.
You make stuff that's under the radar....89cc's would be heavily scrutinized the S no so much.
It's a fake. Note the problems around the CA in AMERICA, small pimples of metal transferred from a die that was made from an original coin.
bob
They make all CC dates and even make common Philly mint in all dates. They even make them die struck in solid silver in PCGS holder for more money.
" Send me an 89-CC in this condition and it's getting graded no matter how sure I am of it. "
This is exactly why they keep selling them & why everyone keeps buying them.
Here is you one on ebay right now that is a counterfeit that you can buy and send in for grading. 113718849644
I looked at the pics again (great pics by the way). Even I am not fooled by that one - that's how bad it is.
looks way off
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
It is a dangerous piece and certainly good enough to pass as genuine in the flea market venue ... but ... given its ratty condition you have to wonder if it would even be worthwhile to be bother with. They must be able to produce these for next to nothing. Also, just how did they get it to "ring" like silver?
Mongo no like foreign copy
Gee! Sure wish it came with a reverse of 1921!
What's wrong with this 1889-S dollar?
Many things.
It looks like a pretty crude copy to me.