Is this a fake Spanish Trail on ebaY?

InYHWHWeTrust

Spanish Trail on ebaY

I've only seen a few MS specimens in real life and just generally aware that fakes are out there. Finding a nicely worn Sp Trail in XF or below with original surfaces and problem-free will probably take a decade or more, if one exists at all. I have had to trim way down on numismatic purchases this year, but would take out a small loan for the right Spanish Trail if meeting the 'big 3' criteria above.

So many things 'wrong' with the referenced example, comparing it to other specimens on ebaY at present. But not a bad counterfeit with toning, and semblance of wear (but the rims are too sharp), but so much of the lettering is mush, and even the tilde ~ is missing on NUNEZ. The second S in STATES is an easy tip-off.

Your thoughts?

Don

edited title to be more inclusive

coinguy1

What do you folks think about the coin?

BillJones

The ~ that is a above the "N" is an additional letter than is in the Spanish alphabet. It appears to missing on this piece and the set "S" in "STATES" is suspect. I'd say that this is a China mint product, and as usual the pictures are poor, which is standard marketing procedure for the people who offer this stuff on eBay.

Barndog

<< <i>The ~ that is a above the "N" is an additional letter than is in the Spanish alphabet. It appears to missing on this piece and the set "S" in "STATES" is suspect. I'd say that this is a China mint product, and as usual the pictures are poor, which is standard marketing procedure for the people who offer this stuff on eBay. >>



no clue about the seller, but with a reserve that hasn't yet been met, I'd think that maybe the seller doesn't know he/she is offering a fake. Maybe.

coinguy1

<< <i>

<< <i>The ~ that is a above the "N" is an additional letter than is in the Spanish alphabet. It appears to missing on this piece and the set "S" in "STATES" is suspect. I'd say that this is a China mint product, and as usual the pictures are poor, which is standard marketing procedure for the people who offer this stuff on eBay. >>



no clue about the seller, but with a reserve that hasn't yet been met, I'd think that maybe the seller doesn't know he/she is offering a fake. Maybe. >>

That was my thought as well. I have contacted Ebay and the seller.

InYHWHWeTrust

Mark, thanks for bringing this thread TTT. I, too, contacted the seller last night and advised he may want to pull the auction and have a local dealer assess for him and addressed my concerns from the photo. He seemed receptive, but noncommittal. Thanks for reporting to ebaY; I did not do that.

Don

InYHWHWeTrust

Auction views up to 198, was 36 last night and I told him/her there would likely be many collectors from around the US to take a look at the coin in question.

No more contact from the seller than my post above.

I will report it as well.

Any Spanish Trail experts out there?

Thanks!

coinguy1

I received the following reply from him after I contacted him:

"thanks for your input. I am having the coin looked at by a local dealer. I hope that your claims are not true, since the circumstances surrounding me getting he coin do not lead me to beleive it is fake. have a great day.."

WoodenJefferson

Known counterfeit.

braddick

It's a fake.
A sad one at that.

poorguy

Really crappy fake. Lettering is all wrong, design features all wrong, just....just...all wrong. Sometimes when you see a coin and it just makes your spidey senses tingle, run. Your gut is probably right. The best thing to do is pull up a picture of a real one along side a suspect one. If you notice any discrepancies in the design features, run.

BlindedByEgo

A singularly unconvincing counterfeit. I too shall report it to eBay.

johnny9434

the item mentioned has been removed by ebay at 2:15 est. good ridence to