This is the first time I've seen a counterfeit Flying Eagle Cent so I thought I'd bring it to the forum. Looks like a typical poor quality cast job, but its scary that they're getting into lower end coins were they're more likely to nab beginners.
<< <i>as a newb, how can I tell it's counterfeit? >>
Alot of it is knowing the series and having seen lots of examples in different grades. Then you have to learn the telltale signs of most counterfeit coins.
Some obvious things about this coin:
wrong color - the coin should be made of brass colored metal wrong detail - the devices look "fat" and poorly defined even though the are not worn - a real coin would have well defined features as it wears down. In this example, some of the detail looks like it was tooled on to the cast die after the die was made - it's not accurate. Specifically the eagle's left wing detail is wrong. surfaces - the surface has a graininess which tells you that the metal was poured into a mold rather than struck from a die. This example shows it well. uncentered closed collar coin - this coin would have been made with a closed collar at the mint so it should have been centered. Now, there are error coins where this is not true but it at least raises a flag.
I bet some other forum members can come up with more things which are wrong with this coin. It has so many problems that its interesting to use it as an example for study.
Notice how the fake has a beaded border while the real one has elongated denticles, and how "blobby" the lettering is.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Comments
<< <i>as a newb, how can I tell it's counterfeit? >>
Alot of it is knowing the series and having seen lots of
examples in different grades. Then you have to learn the
telltale signs of most counterfeit coins.
Some obvious things about this coin:
wrong color - the coin should be made of brass colored
metal
wrong detail - the devices look "fat" and poorly defined
even though the are not worn - a real coin would have
well defined features as it wears down. In this example,
some of the detail looks like it was tooled on to the cast
die after the die was made - it's not accurate. Specifically
the eagle's left wing detail is wrong.
surfaces - the surface has a graininess which tells you
that the metal was poured into a mold rather than struck
from a die. This example shows it well.
uncentered closed collar coin - this coin would have been
made with a closed collar at the mint so it should have
been centered. Now, there are error coins where this is
not true but it at least raises a flag.
I bet some other forum members can come up with more
things which are wrong with this coin. It has so many problems
that its interesting to use it as an example for study.
BTW, welcome to the forum!!!
Please check out my eBay auctions!
My WLH Short Set Registry Collection
<< <i>Rev lettering is wrong. >>
Yep, also look at the date: the numbers are all different sizes
Please check out my eBay auctions!
My WLH Short Set Registry Collection
Notice how the fake has a beaded border while the real one has elongated denticles, and how "blobby" the lettering is.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.