Two-headded 1871 Cent (too good to be true)

EagleEye · January 21, 2005 2:45AM

This was on ebay (I didn't see the sale) but the seller was recommened to send it to me.

It turned out to be a fake. Here it is compared to a real 1871 cent.

Then flipped over:

and here's the edge:

The first thing I noticed was the very sharp edge, unlike the normal 1871 cent. (you could tell it was fake in the dark!)
The detail on the design was very weak, and bulged in the center. Both dies are the same! There are numerous raised die work lines which is also a give-away. I think this would have fooled 90% of the collectors had it not had two heads.

braddick · January 21, 2005 2:54AM

Struck counterfeit. That's my guess.

Dennis88 · January 21, 2005 2:54AM

Interesting post

Steve27 · January 21, 2005 3:22AM

So you're saying two heads aren't necessarily better than one?

ziggy29 · January 21, 2005 3:52AM

<< <i>So you're saying two heads aren't necessarily better than one? >>

Well, if it's an apparently authentic 1859, then two heads are better. Otherwise? No, not as far as we know.

tjkillian · January 21, 2005 4:01AM

Very nice, but I don't quite get the tell-tale signs of being a fake. Your 1871 example is a tad more worn than the counterfeit one. Could that not explain the sharp edges? Can you post a larger picture of the face to see the raised lumps or lines?

By the way, thanks for posting it. I always like your posts.

Tom

EagleEye · January 21, 2005 4:58AM

mr1931S · January 21, 2005 5:19AM

"Both dies are the same!"

Sure are. It appears that some marks were applied to the piece in an attempt to cover this fact up.

mgoodm3 · January 21, 2005 5:25AM

Is that the photo or are the surfaces grainy?

EagleEye · January 21, 2005 5:32AM

The surfaces are grainy, the details are weak. Regardless of condition 1871's do not come with sharp edges (except proofs). The wear on the real one is not so much as to suggest it is too worn to show how the edges are. There are concentric lines though STATES on both dies which is very unusual. It cannot be seen in the image but the design is bulged outward in the center, the coin will spin on either head very easily.