Counterfeit $3 Gold on ebay

scrapbuyer

http://cgi.ebay.com/1878-3-00-Gold-Gorgeous-High-Grade_W0QQitemZ190240659771QQihZ009QQcategoryZ39468QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Seller has 3 coins for sale, all counterfeit. Heads up before someone bites.

bdunndchi

Thanks for the info.

UtahCoin

Link

Robb

Nice chef hat she's sportin'.

TonyWKoo

How can you tell?

fc

odd how the picture looks like it was encased in a pcgs slab...

scrapbuyer

These are common counterfeits with markers that identify them from ones listed in many counterfeit guides. If you are ever going to buy raw US gold, you need to know what to look for because there are many many fakes out there.

A good book to start with is United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide authored by Bill Fivaz

fc

<< <i>How can you tell? >>



i would guess that the bubbly type surface on the reverse below the ribbon
is a pretty good marker to know that it is fake. i do not remember ever seeing
one of these coins with die rust or something like that which could make the
same type of bubbly surface.

the strike is mushy in some areas... yet areas i expect to be weak on a lousy
strike are not.

it appears on the obverse, on liberty's neck there are raised dots if you look
closely... but that could just be the so-so pics.

just a guess.

These are common counterfeits with markers that identify them from ones listed in many counterfeit guides. If you are ever going to buy raw US gold, you need to know what to look for because there are many many fakes out there. A good book to start with is United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide authored by Bill Fivaz

would it not have been less typing and more informative to just say what the
most common identifiers are to determine it is fake... saying go buy a book
is hardly answering the easy to answer question :-P

Rupert305

<< <i>odd how the picture looks like it was encased in a pcgs slab... >>



That was my first thought also.

TonyWKoo

Would it be a good idea to report this? It might save some poor sucker $1000.

scrapbuyer

One Just sold for $975.00 ... I emailed the seller prior to that that they were counterfeits. Some people have no morals. Someone is going to be out $975 because this seller does not take paypal.

lordmarcovan

I automatically distrust someone with the apostrophe disease.

scrapbuyer

I emailed the buyer of the one coin. I hope to save someone from being ripped.

cinman14

my 28-P peace dollar I bought from China looks better than the one they are offering..

And I only paid .10 cents...

fruitloops

Nice find!

Scrapbuyer, is this a cast counterfeit? There appears to be a few pimples on the neck of liberty on the obverse, also on the reverse there seems to be many bubbles under the wreath.

BECOKA

<< <i>

<< <i>odd how the picture looks like it was encased in a pcgs slab... >>



That was my first thought also. >>



SEGS holder looks very similar to PCGS.

scrapbuyer

Die struck counterfeits. Someone bought another of the three, so 2 people are going to get hosed now.

fruitloops

<< <i>Die struck counterfeits. Someone bought another of the three, so 2 people are going to get hosed now. >>



Besides the loss of detail/mushy details, what else do you see on the coin that deems it counterfeit?

scrapbuyer

On the 1878, there is a blemish behind the eye, a blemish on the lower neck, and the granular surface under the bow on the reverse. These are markers of a documented counterfeit die.

fruitloops

<< <i>On the 1878, there is a blemish behind the eye, a blemish on the lower neck, and the granular surface under the bow on the reverse. These are markers of a documented counterfeit die. >>



Ah I see. Does it happen to be in Bill Fivaz book, this counterfeit die? I have the book. Tell me what page if its documented there so I can look it up..Thanks

fruitloops

There appears to be a repeating depression on the reverse of the 2 1/2 this seller is selling. I've included an arrow to it. This isn't enough to deem a coin counterfeit; however; you need other characteristics, which I can't find. It's an excellent fake.
Edit: There appears to be a line between the T and A in STATES, too.

scrapbuyer

never said the 2 1/2 was a fake. Actually I think that one is real. The Three $3 gold coind this seller listed were all fakes. 2 of them have been sold. I believe the 1878 should be Bill Fivaz's as the third example of 1878 $3, I don't have the book in from of me at the moment to reference.

fruitloops

<< <i>never said the 2 1/2 was a fake. Actually I think that one is real. The Three $3 gold coind this seller listed were all fakes. 2 of them have been sold. I believe the 1878 should be Bill Fivaz's as the third example of 1878 $3, I don't have the book in from of me at the moment to reference. >>





Oops...figures how much I know. I even took a course in counterfeit detection at the ANA..feh.

Good stuff!

cone10

I got a hold of one of the buyers and he wanted to thank the forum for saving him from buying a counterfeit. Way to go guys!

pb2y

No return policy; MO or cashiers check only.
How can they ever get a refund?

adamlaneus

<< <i>I don't have the book in from of me at the moment to reference. >>



Page 105. Example #3 of the 1878 indian princess. (are there multiple editions of this book?)

I can clearly see the blem behind the eye and on the lower neck. There is supposed to be a depression after the last S in states but I don't see that in the photos. On the reverse, the book indicates a file circular tool line all around the circumference, not visible in the photos. But the granular surface below the bow is very evident in the photos and is in the book.

Bullish

On the $3 The "S" in states. Is a bit off, also!

Bullish

As with this 1855 too!1855 $3 Gold fake Same blemishes too!

fruitloops

<< <i>As with this 1855 too!1855 $3 Gold fake Same blemishes too! >>



That counterfeit seems a bit more evident. Look at the spikes from the denticals. Dead giveaway.