1905 halfcrown

wybrit

I went to California last week with an achin' in my heart - for a coin shop visit. A few months ago my favorite coin store's owner showed me a high grade 1905 half crown, but I didn't have any cash for such a purchase. I was also nervous it was a fake because it had a funny color. So I went there for another look-see.

It was a good thing I didn't have the money the first time. The dealer told me that it was a fake. Allan Davisson and another expert whose name escapes me each confirmed it between then and now. Davisson would have bought it on the spot if it had been genuine, since $1,100 would have been a song for a real piece in gEF. The dealer still has it, won't sell it and doesn't keep it at his store. Pity, because I wanted to see what the fake looked like again.

Oh well, I picked up eight coins, including three hole fillers: a 1927 type I shilling in UNC, an 1876 shilling in EF and an 1843 threepence in AU. I may have an upgrade for my 1914 penny, but I'll have to visit the vault to confirm that.

coinkat

I am sorry to read it was not real... I do not own one, but I am aware of the fact that this date is often counterfeited. About 4 years ago, I had the chance to buy some decent Edward VII half crowns and passed because they were dipped...

drjules

Hi Wybrit

All this talk of fake 1905 half crowns has got me worried. I had no idea the 1905 was such a rare (and valuble) beast. I have a 1905 half crown that I picked up for a very modest sum at a local coin fair from a reasonable and reputable dealer. Admittedly it was in a much lower condition than gEF. Are the lower grades of 1905 half crown much more common then? Or are there far more fakes out there than I would have expected? I don't have the details of my own 1905 half crown to hand but I will try to look it up tonight.

Dr J

wybrit

Dr. Jules, it is rather worrying. The dealer of which I speak is a good world coin specialist - not just some guy with a junk box of stuff in a dusty corner of his shop.

With a mintage of only 166,000, the number of high grade examples of 1905 halfcrowns is tiny. Even low grade specimens (VG or F) are sought out as space fillers and command upwards of £100-£200.

This coin is well documented as having many, many forgeries about. Most likely you will find fakes in the "VF/EF" range. Check the color and weight first to see if you have a fake. In the California shop, the coin was gun metal gray.

If the coin is VF or better I would want to at least have it authenticated by a TPG. I would never buy a 1905 from anyone online unless it is slabbed by one of the big three or it's from an experienced, reputable top class dealer.

coinkat

It is most common in the lower grades, but even an example in fine or a low end VF will bring a decent price. This is a rare date and most 1905's that survived are in lower grades.