1943 copper cent on eBay

Free · July 29, 2009 10:47AM

So what do y'all think? I am curious if someone used the magnet test on this one as the 3 definitely looks right from the pics. But with NO RETURNS ACCEPTED, boy that's sure a huge gamble.

1943 copper cent

doh · July 29, 2009 10:49AM

Fake coin

Russ · July 29, 2009 10:49AM

Load 'o crap.

Russ, NCNE

Free · July 29, 2009 10:52AM

I also feel this isn't legit, but it's more of a gut feeling. From looking at the pics it sure looks like a genuine cent and it doesn't show any built-up fields from a copper coating that I can tell. Can anyone point out anything that makes this scream fake (besides being raw and on eBay)?

fc · July 29, 2009 10:55AM

is there any diagnostic.. like the lines at the bottom of the A useful
in identifying this coin?

one would think... if this was the real deal... others would not speak up. they would be preparing to bid. so i would not expect any real
advice in this situation from someone who knew something most
did not.

i really have no clue and am not about to examine each pic and compare
to real ones.

but in the end.. chances are that it is not real of course.

tightbudget · July 29, 2009 10:56AM

I'm seeing some steel undertones to the copper. Even if I'm just hallucinating, I'm 1000% sure it's plated.

CoinCrazyPA · July 29, 2009 10:58AM

Did you read her feedback from her other auctions? Everyone had a different story, grandmas attic etc.

adamlaneus · July 29, 2009 11:01AM

I don't see the problem.

The seller is not saying that the coin is copper.

The seller is saying that the coin is brown.

Yes, indeed, it does look brown, doesn't it?

morgansforever · July 29, 2009 11:06AM

Thought the same thing adamlaneus, she claims nothing, other than it's brown.
Brown from Minwax wood stain? Spray paint?
No pity for the winner.

scott

edit to add link, appears the Mint has the 411.
mintlink

Steve · July 29, 2009 11:32AM

Why would you assume that the auction house wants 30% when you all know the going rate is 15%. AND, if they saw a real 1943 copper in the package, don't you think they would auction it for nothing just for the publicity. AND, why wouldn't a REAL auction house suggest to this gal that she should get it slabbed by PCGS or NGC. Hell, the auction house would do it for her at no charge. The money the auction house would make on the BUYERS fee would more than offset ALL costs to the auction house. Sure, this is a real 1943 copper. How can anyone bid $1,500 on it? They, of course, won't pay so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. Good luck to anyone here who thinks he's going to make a killing on this coin. Steve

commoncents123 · July 29, 2009 11:41AM

What is that an altered 8?

MORGANHUNTER2 · July 29, 2009 11:47AM

minwax 'rosewood' stain for 2 days and a rince in acetone- does this one just right.

steelie all the way- gotta love a scammer...

SUMORADA · July 29, 2009 11:50AM

Are ya sure, cause I don't have a 43 copper in my set yet.............

commoncents123 · July 29, 2009 11:52AM

Does anyone have pics of a genuine 43 copper?

MoneyCollector · July 29, 2009 11:52AM

I agree - SCAMMER - "Brown" steel cent - no mention that it is copper. Put a magnet on it for us!

adamlaneus · July 29, 2009 11:53AM

Seller's (rare oval mintmark)

Other (the only broken die buffalo known to exist)

Auctions (1965 silver dime)

Never heard of this stuff before. Is any of it real?

lbtrip23 · July 29, 2009 12:32PM

<< I agree - SCAMMER - "Brown" steel cent - no mention that it is copper. Put a magnet on it for us! >>

cmerlo1 · July 29, 2009 12:33PM

I've said this before, as it happened a while back:

When I opened that listing, a magnet on my desk flew up and stuck to my monitor, right on the image of that coin.

PCcoins · July 29, 2009 12:44PM

I looked at his previous auctions and the descriptions are completely BS! He uses his wording very tricky, trying to fool newbie collectors into getting something different than what he's selling them.

Just report him. (Period)

seatedcollector · July 29, 2009 2:55PM

possibly the seller is trying to persuade potential buyers to do a little research, so the buyer will know what he is buying instead of just handing over fists full of cash with no idea what he/she is bidding on. sometimes i wonder if "newbies" are as dumb as some of the people here make them out to be. if a person has enough money to lay out thousands of $ for a coin like that, THEY should be the one worrying if its really copper.

Free · July 30, 2009 11:42PM

I asked the seller about the magnet test and a few other questions but never got a response. Hmmmmmm.

ambro51 · July 31, 2009 12:45AM

I emailed them too...and asked "Does the magnet stick to the coin? That would prove its genuine. If the coin sticks to the magnet though...it is plated steel and totally phony"

renomedphys · July 31, 2009 1:11AM

Other than the undeniable improbability of being genuine, I see nothing that would indicate a fake. Far better than most plate jobs, I'm inclined to believe that the coin was soaked in something to brown the surface. Otherwise, I see a well struck '43 cent. I agree that we NEED the magnet test.

gecko109 · July 31, 2009 1:24AM

"one would think... if this was the real deal... others would not speak up. they would be preparing to bid. so i would not expect any real
advice in this situation from someone who knew something most
did not."

By far, the most intelligent response in this thread.

lkeigwin · July 31, 2009 1:28AM

<< Does anyone have pics of a genuine 43 copper? >>

Courtesy of wikipedia. PCGS 61BN. You would think the strike would be especially strong, given that a copper planchet was struck with the higher pressure used for the steel/zinc coin.

adamlaneus · July 31, 2009 1:30AM

If the copper planchet had not been annealed after it was rolled, then it would be hard.

And that would be one possible explanation of why it has a weak strike.

rgCoinGuy · July 31, 2009 2:28AM

You can clearly see what appears to be steel spots bleeding through on the larger picture, especially on the edge.

InternetJunky · July 31, 2009 2:33AM

<< You can clearly see what appears to be steel spots bleeding through on the larger picture, especially on the edge.

>>

I agree. Also the rub on the cheek shows some steel color too IMO.

ambro51 · July 31, 2009 2:38AM

An old tarnished plate job can look pretty good. I bought this one for 25cents about 40 years ago...

telephoto1 · July 31, 2009 2:40AM

Absolutely it is a genuine 1943..steel version, that is. These can be deceptive when they're flash plated and then rebrowned, but in this instance you can see some wear on the high points where the steel is showing through. The genuines AFAIK all have weakness on the reverse lettering... although admittedly I have only seen one of them in hand personally.
Also, take a look at the bidding pattern. Only one bid other than a 0 feedback ID that ran the price up. El scammo grande.

RichieURich · July 31, 2009 6:30AM

<< Other than the undeniable improbability of being genuine, I see nothing that would indicate a fake. Far better than most plate jobs, I'm inclined to believe that the coin was soaked in something to brown the surface. Otherwise, I see a well struck '43 cent. I agree that we NEED the magnet test. >>

IMO, someone who has contacted big auction companies about auctioning this coin has most likely been told that, with certification, the coin would bring over $100K. The seller must be mighty generous to let a this coin go for such a small amount. All it would have taken for a $100K check from an auction house is merely certifying the coin that the seller assures us is genuine.

Put another way, if it were your coin and you were sure it was a genuine 1943 copper cent, would you:
(1) put it on eBay and get less than $1,000 for it, or
(2) put it in a major auction and get over $100,000 for it?

GrumpyEd · July 31, 2009 6:44AM

<< Put another way, if it were your coin and you were sure it was a genuine 1943 copper cent, would you:
(1) put it on eBay and get less than $1,000 for it, or
(2) put it in a major auction and get over $100,000 for it? >>

Exactly!

Seller also avoided mentioning getting it graded as an alternative, they mention submitting to an auction house but not a TPG.
(and ignored magnet questions)

It also looks like some areas show the zinc color, the rev pic shows what looks like a ding at the bottom and it's silver color.

AUandAG · July 31, 2009 6:55AM

I ususally give the seller a bit of room on these and so sent him a question
as to whether or not it sticks to a magnate. No response after 3 days. So,
I'll assume that it is in fact a fake which is what I assumed when I asked the
question. Nobody in their right mind would let that auction end at that price
if they really thought it was real.

bob

shottaker · July 31, 2009 6:57AM

This guys a menace! Many 1884-O dollars have that style mintmark. Its so minor its not usually mentioned. I have owned a 1965 dime struck on a silver planchet and that is definitely not the right color. Think 64. Same coin. Bet his/her/its dime wouldnt pass the "tissue test" for silver.

The 43 is Not really a copper. Minwax pen job. Too bad I dont live closer. I'd like to visit him with a tire iron. Be fun to bestow the idiot award tattoo on his forehead. Him and his ilk cost this industry tons of money when new collectors get turned away from the hobby.

lathmach · July 31, 2009 7:12AM

I don't know about the penny, but the sellers Ebay handle reminds me of a sexually transmitted disease.

Ray

lcoopie · July 31, 2009 7:26AM

does the word shill mean anything in this auction?

joebb21 · July 31, 2009 7:33AM

What I am really wondering is that the seller CLEARLY has that he will take no returns. 2 bidders with high feedback (they must know SOMETHING about coins)(its not a newbie)
yet 2 big ebayers each bid over $1600 for a possible real/possible fake coin...
I dont feel bad at all if its fake

CoinCrazyPA · July 31, 2009 8:01AM

I have sent emails and no answers to a magnet, I asked her to show a picture with the coin and a magnet, NO REPLY? stay away. I am

sinin1 · July 31, 2009 8:52AM

got over $50 for a 1965 circulated dime with a little machine doubling and a wonderful story

nankraut · July 31, 2009 10:07AM

<< Load 'o crap.

Russ, NCNE >>

It's amazing that people will send a significant amount of money to a scammer like this.

pontiacinf · July 31, 2009 10:21AM

<< I've said this before, as it happened a while back:

When I opened that listing, a magnet on my desk flew up and stuck to my monitor, right on the image of that coin.

>>

that made my night

pocketpiececommems · July 31, 2009 10:37AM

If the winner uses Paypal he should be able to get his money back when he finds out its a fake weither the granny says no return or not.

Free · July 31, 2009 9:31PM

Amazing to me that someone would bid on this at that price. I would assume that someone who was about to drop over a grand on a raw coin on eBay would ask questions. And from judging from my questions that went unanswered and others here also seem to be getting no response to questions, the seller is avoiding the obvious questions that would 'out' them on their fraud. I just wonder how some folks sleep at night after pulling a stunt like this and stealing folk's money. But, I guess you could also argue that the buyer should 'know better'....

WinPitcher · August 1, 2009 12:03AM

Fake.

Steve

ricko · August 1, 2009 12:33AM

Plated and stained... definitely not real. Cheers, RickO

1943 copper cent on eBay

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