What Is The Earliest Date On A US Counterfiet Coin? (answer posted)

RotatedRainbows

What is the oldest date found on a standard issue US coin that has been counterfeited? i.e. we know there are 1804 counterfeit silver dollars and of course there are many counterfeit bust half dollars including lettered edge pieces date 1837, so my question is does anyone one know what the earliest known date found on a regular issue US coin (that means colonial coins,pieces of eight or other none US mint issue types are not included) that has been counterfeited? The answer will be posted tonight or tomorrow morning if know one gives the correct answer.

Pushkin

My guess would be the same as the first date on a non-counterfeit coin. During the early days of the Republic, counterfeiting of both paper and metal money was so rampant that it was a capital offense - although I have no idea how many counterfeiters were actually hung?

bohica268

1794

RotatedRainbows

My guess would be the same as the first date on a non-counterfeit coin.

You would think so wouldn't you, BUT!!!

tjkillian

I own a counterfeit 1793 Chain Cent. It is in about VF condition, but has a few problems. Worth about $20.00

Tom

nwcs

How about the 1792 Washington cent? I say that because technically the continental currency issues were not US issues. They were produced under the Articles of Confederation and a previous government which is not the United States of America.

nwcs

I have to amend my statement a bit. I did a little research and saw that the washington cent was not made at the US mint. The chain cent and liberty cap half cents were the first issues. So I'm sure they've been counterfeited.

bohica268

Would a 1793 Cent be worth the effort to counterfeit? I mean in 1793? I don't know what things cost back then so I haven't a clue whether it would be worthwhile. I was thinking more about the dollar and maybe the half dollar.

nwcs

Well, for a contemporary counterfeit, the half was more appealing. But modern counterfeits will target the cent and half cent.

bohica268

The whole purpose would be to dupe the merchants of the time, not collectors 200+ years in the future. I'd make something with the most purchasing power possible. The dollar fits that requirement.

KlectorKid

Birch Cents from 1792

sinin1

I'm guessing some patterns have been counterfeit

1792 half disme

nwcs

I forgot about the 1792 half disme. I don't know if it was minted at the US Mint, though.

Conder101

For coins issued by the United States under the Constitution it would be 1793, for the United States under the Articles of Confederation it would be 1787. The Fugio was a legitimite US coin as it was authorized by Congress and counterfeits of it do exist.

RotatedRainbows

You people forget that counterfeiters weren't always the smartest of people and that fact is clearly shown with this counterfeit 1787 Flowing Hair half dollar. Below is a copy of a lot description from a 1998 auction where one realized $613, in the same sale a cast counterfeit 1796 bust half realized $3600. It would be nice to find a copy of the 1962 Coin World where the 1787 was declared authentic.