I don't see anything that screams counterfeit to me, but I'll let Rick Snow chime in with his opinion.
I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector. Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
I don't know how to judge it from the photo but I will point out that there was a whole family of fake (spark erosion) Indian and Flying Eagle Cents - key dates, errors and patterns - that surfaced about 25 years ago. (They were said to originate in New Jersey.) The piece in question smells like it might be from that family. But like I said, I can't be sure from the image.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>I don't know how to judge it from the photo but I will point out that there was a whole family of fake (spark erosion) Indian and Flying Eagle Cents - key dates, errors and patterns - that surfaced about 25 years ago. (They were said to originate in New Jersey.) The piece in question smells like it might be from that family. But like I said, I can't be sure from the image. >>
I am with you. It reminds me of those fakes, but I cannot say with certainty that it is. TD
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
The buyer showed me close-up images. The struck surface was covered with small bumps -- the sign of a spark erosion counterfeit. The unnatural gloss of the unstruck part of the reverse face, the absence of a collar scar, and the fadeout and disappearance of the reverse denticles provided ample evidence of fakery.
Mike Diamond is an error coin writer and researcher. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those held by any organization I am a member of.
What do you think of of the exceptional quality of the unstruck part of the planchet? TD
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
This coin is really getting some miles on it as it's up on Ebay again like the 3rd to 4th time in 6 months, only this time being finally sold as NON GENUINE!
Well the coin genuine or not sold again... I don't know how others feel but to me $185 plus shipping is a lot of foolish money spent on a counterfeit coin?
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
I saw a similar 1866 error on a coin shop bid board about a year ago....5 miles from the seller's location. It had a $300 "buy it now" price which is a fraction of its value if genuine. I passed. Almost certainly struck from spark erosion dies on a pre 1982 blank cent planchet.
Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
Comments
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>I don't know how to judge it from the photo but I will point out that there was a whole family of fake (spark erosion) Indian and Flying Eagle Cents - key dates, errors and patterns - that surfaced about 25 years ago. (They were said to originate in New Jersey.) The piece in question smells like it might be from that family. But like I said, I can't be sure from the image. >>
I am with you. It reminds me of those fakes, but I cannot say with certainty that it is.
TD
TD
1866 BROADSTRUCK Indian head cent 35% major error!!!!!!