Interesting story behind this silver plated HK-359
DUIGUY
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Tmot99 sent this supposed silver 358 graded by NGC to NGC for authentication. Results were the same composition as copper. Thus it has bin silver plated. It has bin my understanding that these were not offered at the expoe plated, just copper or silver compositions. Crooks later plated the copper pieces silver to sell for more money.
Obviously both NGC and Collectors Universe (B&M at the time) are under the impression these were offered plated at the expoe.
I talked to the original owner and he gave me the info that he purchased it from B&M in the Frontenac sale. B&M's response to an email
was this;
Dear Mr. XXXXXC,
Because Bowers and Merena changed hands a couple of times between now
and the Frontenac Sale (which I've been informed took place sometime in
the late '80s or early '90s), we do not have records of this
transaction. You may want to contact Collectors Universe, who were the
owners prior to us. I don't know if they will have records of this
sale, but they may be better able to assist you.
We wish you luck.
Sincerely,
Raeleen Endo
Bowers and Merena
Piece in question;
This is a real 358, which I own thanks to Tmot99 hooking me up; Thanks Tom !!
Obviously both NGC and Collectors Universe (B&M at the time) are under the impression these were offered plated at the expoe.
I talked to the original owner and he gave me the info that he purchased it from B&M in the Frontenac sale. B&M's response to an email
was this;
Dear Mr. XXXXXC,
Because Bowers and Merena changed hands a couple of times between now
and the Frontenac Sale (which I've been informed took place sometime in
the late '80s or early '90s), we do not have records of this
transaction. You may want to contact Collectors Universe, who were the
owners prior to us. I don't know if they will have records of this
sale, but they may be better able to assist you.
We wish you luck.
Sincerely,
Raeleen Endo
Bowers and Merena
Piece in question;
This is a real 358, which I own thanks to Tmot99 hooking me up; Thanks Tom !!
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
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Comments
The one piece of information that's missing from your post is that it's REALLY easy to tell a plated version of this medal from a true silver version. If you look at the bottom right of the reverse of the silver one, it is marked STERLING in incuse letters. If you look at bottom left of the reverse of the plated piece, it says VIRGIN UTAH COPPER in raised letters. The silver versions were struck with different dies than the copper ones, and a later plating isn't going to change that...
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Camelot
<< <i>whoever currently owns it is going to end up being stuck with it. >>
That would be me.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
<< <i>The original owner of the plated piece still insist it is silver. I also phoned him when I purchased the piece to tell him his piece did not have sterling on it. He knew this and STILL insisted it was silver.
What does the original owner base his belief on? Gut feeling?
<< <i>
<< <i>The original owner of the plated piece still insist it is silver. I also phoned him when I purchased the piece to tell him his piece did not have sterling on it. He knew this and STILL insisted it was silver.
What does the original owner base his belief on? Gut feeling? >>
Faith in B&M and a test notch 11:00 on the reverse. I can understand NGC being under the assumption these were plated at the expoe as many other SC$'s were. What mystifies me is he bought this piece unslabbed, one would be able to see the copper in the test notch.
Pic of test notch
edited to add pic
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC