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QUESTION: Is it possible to authenticate a highly worn and polished coin?

MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Is it possible to authenticate a highly worn and polished coin? After all, the diagnostic surface characteristics are long gone.
Andy Lustig

Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.

Comments

  • ERER Posts: 7,345 ✭
    100% certainty? I'd say no.
  • NumismaticsNumismatics Posts: 1,092
    I don't think so.
  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,424 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are we talking 1916 SLQ ?

    Yes.

    Ken
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Anybody else?
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭
    This thread is worthless without pictures.
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • GrumpyEdGrumpyEd Posts: 4,749 ✭✭✭
    Well maybe if it was a 1915-S octagonal $50 image
    Ed
  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,928 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There's no one size fits all answer to this question. It depends on the item. So, yes, and no.

    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>100% certainty? I'd say no. >>



    You can't authenticate a new proof set to 100% certainty....It's all in the level of uncertainty you're willing to accept. --Jerry
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There's no one size fits all answer to this question. It depends on the item. So, yes, and no.

    My opinion is that for most coins, the answer is no. But I'd like you to convince me that I'm wrong. Examples would help.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,342 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In most cases it's impossible to authenticate a well worn coin that's been heavily polished.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    I'd say yes until someone can prove me wrong with an example.
  • phehpheh Posts: 1,588 ✭
    Not polished, but highly worn. It got a No Decision/Refund. My opinion is that this coin is obviously a genuine 1909-S VDB... but then, I own it.

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  • shottakershottaker Posts: 309


    << <i>Is it possible to authenticate a highly worn and polished coin? After all, the diagnostic surface characteristics are long gone. >>


    Depends. Dig deep enough and most things can be figured out. What type of coin?

    Knew a guy that could tell Indian cent blanks from lincoln blanks. he could even tell blanks from the teens & 20's vs later ones in US cents. That was amazing, but after he explained all the differences including when annealing processes were changed where and different planchet sources/ mines and a bunch of other mumbo jumbo stuff I knew he was either nuts or for real. After watching him for a few years figured out he was for real, so I really know theres guys out there in each specialty that can knock your socks off with knowledge.

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