Fake or Real?

historygeek · September 7, 2004 7:45AM

I've never even seen a picture of this coin before, so I can't tell.

Ebay

drjules · September 7, 2004 7:55AM

Don't worry, if is it fake he will give you double refund

historygeek · September 7, 2004 9:06AM

The characters on the reverse are slightly different than the ones in the KM picture and the KM coin lacks rim denticles which this one has...

Comments?

satootoko · September 7, 2004 9:22AM

Tough call!

Argument for fake: The seller is in China.

Argument for genuine: The seller has a pretty good feedback record - for a seller in China.

Argument for fake: The seller is in China.

Argument for genuine: The picture in the auction looks an awful lot like the picture on p. 384 of the 32nd Ed. (In earlier editions it is listed under Szechuan as Y#466 (copper)/466a (brass).

Argument for fake: The opening bid for a coin not seen very often is only a fraction of the VG value given by Krause ($125), and the claimed EF ($400 per Krause) isn't that far off.

Argument for genuine: The date (ROC 19 - 1930) is one of two legitimate dates. The other is ROC 15 - 1926.

Argument for fake: The seller is in China.

Argument for genuine: The surface doesn't have a cast appearance to it.

Indeterminate point 1: The description says 29mm, the picture of KM#1 (copper)/2 (brass), Sikang Province 100 cash measures 28.5mm.

Indeterminate point 2: The seller has consulted Krause, as his historic note is cribbed verbatim from their comments.

Bottom line - if it were in my area of specialization I would probably take a chance on it.

satootoko · September 7, 2004 9:24AM

<< <i>The characters on the reverse are slightly different than the ones in the KM picture and the KM coin lacks rim denticles which this one has. >>

The picture in my Krause isn't that clear, and I'm not really sure whether it does, or doesn't show denticles.

historygeek · September 7, 2004 10:07AM

<<<<< The characters on the reverse are slightly different than the ones in the KM picture and the KM coin lacks rim denticles which this one has. >>

The picture in my Krause isn't that clear, and I'm not really sure whether it does, or doesn't show denticles. >>>

The pic in my 28th edition is quite clear.

Askari · September 7, 2004 10:09AM

I was almost afraid this thread was an escapee from the Open Forum.

sumnom · September 7, 2004 11:21AM

I am not going to say that the seller being in China is evidence for his selling fakes. I have bought some things out of China without any trouble. Keep in mind that quite a bit of the fakes coming out of China are sold around the world, not just in China. This is a problem with Chinese coins in general, no matter where they are sold.

The calligraphy is indeed different, as HG has pointed out, most notably the chuan right smack in the middle. The denticle issue is also troubling. On a more abstract note, my gut told me it was fake as soon as I saw the image, but I can't really explain why. It was just a feeling.

In conclusion, it's a risky proposition.

sliderider · September 7, 2004 6:14PM

There's been a lot of scammers selling fake coins (or no coins) from locations in China. I don't think I would bid on anything from there.