Real or fake $3 princess?

hiijacker

Does this 1874 $3 princess look real to you? It is being described as EXTREMELY FINE, LIGHTLY BRUSHED condition. What would be a fair bid for this?

PerryHall

Are you considering buying a raw $3 gold? If so, you're crazy. This series is VERY heavily counterfeited.

STONE

Right away I'm seeing signs that it's a counterfeit.

1) Spikes in denticles
2) lack of longacre doubling on letters
3) just a feeling

gecko109

Perry has it right. Dont buy a raw $3 off ebay. If you insist on a raw midgrade, problem $3, get one from a local reputable dealer.

Longacre

I agree with what another said. If you want a raw $3, buy it from a reputable dealer. Board member Julian has been in business forever and deals in raw coins. Just give him a call.

hiijacker

While the coin is being sold at auction it is not off eBay, it is at a local auction, so i will be able to hold the coin in my habd before bidding. If there was something for me to look for to determine its authenticity I would do that.

291fifth

Do not buy raw $3 gold!

PerryHall

<< <i>While the coin is being sold at auction it is not off eBay, it is at a local auction, so i will be able to hold the coin in my habd before bidding. If there was something for me to look for to determine its authenticity I would do that. >>



It takes an expert with a stereo microscope to authenticate the better $3 gold fakes. Are you an expert authenticator? Does the auction firm sell with an authenticity guarantee or are all sales final?

Frankcoins

<< <i>While the coin is being sold at auction it is not off eBay, it is at a local auction, so i will be able to hold the coin in my habd before bidding. If there was something for me to look for to determine its authenticity I would do that. >>



Are you nuts?

hiijacker

My point is it is not a raw eBay purchase, I will have the opportunity to view the coin in my hand.

Connecticoin

FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE!!!

If many can tell its fake from a photo, it will be EVEN "faker" in-hand.

tightbudget

Counterfeit

sneaky

So, what are you guys trying to say? Don't beat around the bush, should he buy the raw $3 gold?

(I had to get out my sarcasm for the day)

Mike C

TheRaven

I don't understand the logic in looking at purchasing raw gold unless you are an expert !!!

fc

I don't understand the logic in looking at purchasing raw gold unless you are an expert !!!

if you want to buy raw gold and you need to ask here if you should
or not... it probably means you should not.

i have been collecting half eagles for a few years now and only recently
have i bought a few half eagles raw.

if the coin cost more then a 1000 i would not do it even now.

i sit around and view so many pics of the slabbed examples and compare them to the raw version. only once i am totally satisfied do
i pull the trigger. think die cracks, date position, mint mark position,
etc...

even then i may get burned one day.

so the advice given to a newer collector is quite solid in my book!

GoldenEyeNumismatics

I don't have much experience with these, but the denticles look wrong.

TwoSides2aCoin

<< <i>Does this 1874 $3 princess look real to you? It is being described as EXTREMELY FINE, LIGHTLY BRUSHED condition. What would be a fair bid for this?

>>


I only see half of this coin. Looks like a die crack in the obverse at the rim at 11 o'clock.
Lightly brushed usually means "harshly cleaned" if it is real. So that means a net grade or "EF details" if it's authentic.

How can you tell ? Um, ... having other known examples, specific weights and measurements. Die characteristics....

If you don't know don't bid. If you see the expert there trying to get it for under $700, be darn sure your willing to pay stupid money for a coin that will bodybag even if it is authentic. That would be my take on this coin.

edit to add gecko's 1856 obverse... for comparison