IS THIS A PATTERN? MORE IVESTIGATION.

lazeroo

Ok, all you pattern guys, input needed.

obverse

reverse

the first thing you notice is the coin appears to be a spark erosion copy. and I believe at this point the coin is a fake.

the reed count is 154 and that would make it higher than the 1856 coins, they were 145,146.
at least thats the two identified reed collars. and 154 would make it more like the carson city coins they were all 154.
he diameter is (as close as I can figure) 1.198" this is right on for the year.

the real kicker is the coin is totally proof like.

the reverse shows die stretch and flow lines very well.
the obverse has quit a few die polish lines evident.

this is were it gets tricky, I only believe it's a spark erosion coin from reading about them. I've never seen one.in
in fact i've never seen an copper pattern to compare this coin too. there are a few die lumps that lead me to beileve the coin
was fake.

i'm still going to send it to anacs this week.

rob.

FC57Coins

Laz - do you have a way to weigh the coin?

Frank

littlewicher

Wow, cool looking coin, even if it might be a fake. Where did you find a coin like this?

lathmach

I think you've nailed it, Rob. This is what a coin struck from an EDM made die looks like. The pimples are a diagnostic for this type counterfeit. It's heavily polished to get rid of as much evidence as possible in the fields.


Ray

gemtone65

Wasn't this coin offered on Ebay about a week ago, where I think it sold for around $500?

nwcs

Yep, spark erosion counterfeits usually do come with prooflike fields. The planchets are often prepared better than the mints as well. But counting the reeds? I'd go insane!!!

FC57Coins

Interesting. I was at a coinshop this afternoon at lunch and the proprietor showed me a cast iron 1902 Morgan - ugliest thing you ever saw but there it was! LOL

Frank

sinin1

Is it copper? www.uspatterns.com doesn't have any 1856 copper halves listed - The couple bumps up on the devices on the obverse makes it look like could be copy.

Could it be a regular issue copper plated?

JML

Send it to ANACS for starters and have them bring it to Long Beach so that I and some of my colleagues can look at it. Almost certainly somebody will be able to tell for sure. I posted some thoughts last week, after you purchased the coin.

lazeroo

the coin comes in at 10 grams, and is pure copper.
and yes I bought it on ebay for 550$ I collect these things. seated halves that is. I have several of them.

tell me this guys. why would someone fake a common date half and do such a great job on the reeding ?

lathmach

<< <i>

tell me this guys. why would someone fake a common date half and do such a great job on the reeding ? >>



Only thing I can come up with is....$550.


Ray

lazeroo

well ray of course there's that.


LOL!!!!!