Error Coin Thoughts... with pictures 1943 Triple Struck Copper Cent

Tdec1000

I know all odds are against me but this is the closest piece I have seen that has a shot at being genuine. I have had this coin for a long time. Tell me your thoughts and concerns.

I sent this in under economy because I didn't want to spend a bunch on the error service. I thought that if it had a shot that PCGS would grade it for what it was. I know I can be a cheapo but I have 4 kids and I am not trying to waste money on a hope or a hunch.

Well here are the pictures, so please fire away!

llafoe

You have the coin in hand... what do you think PCGS thought was questionable - the composition? it was cut-and-layered from multiple coins? someone made a fantasy die since it's illegal to own a 1943 triple struck copper cent and they didn't add 'COPY' to this coin?

Tdec1000

<< <i>You have the coin in hand... what do you think PCGS thought was questionable - the composition? it was cut-and-layered from multiple coins? someone made a fantasy die since it's illegal to own a 1943 triple struck copper cent and they didn't add 'COPY' to this coin? >>




I don't know? I hadn't thought that it could be a made from a fantasy die. hmmm

WaterSport

The details are too soft to have actually been made during a mint striking process. So my HO is it is a counterfeit.

WS

Tdec1000

It was triple struck, so the details are going to be flat. I respect your opinion though. PCGS didn't come out and say it was fake, just said questionable authenticity.

GrumpyEd

Not sure if it started out as a real coin or not but the doubling looks like it might have been faked with a soft die.

Tdec1000

So you think that someone made this with a real 1943 die?

commoncents05

<< <i>It was triple struck, so the details are going to be flat. I respect your opinion though. PCGS didn't come out and say it was fake, just said questionable authenticity. >>



PCGS never comes out and says "counterfeit" even on obvious Chinese fakes.

-Paul

CaptHenway

Somebody used a 1943 steel cent, which is relatively hard, to make a false set of dies from. He then took a bronze cent, removed the date, and overstruck it with the false dies. The intent was to counterfeit a 1943 bronze cent. His aim wasn't too good.
TD

GrumpyEd

<< <i>So you think that someone made this with a real 1943 die? >>



A soft die isn't real. It's made by putting a real coin in a vice between 2 pieces of softer metal.


Edit... Vise

grote15

The "3" in the date looks bizarre..

Tdec1000

<< <i>The "3" in the date looks bizarre.. >>



there is a die crack that runs through the 3 in the date....

stealer

<< <i>

<< <i>It was triple struck, so the details are going to be flat. I respect your opinion though. PCGS didn't come out and say it was fake, just said questionable authenticity. >>



PCGS never comes out and says "counterfeit" even on obvious Chinese fakes.

-Paul >>



That's what I was thinking. Doesn't it always come back as "Questionable Authenticity"?

grote15

To the OP, do you really think this coin is authentic? I'd be hard pressed to even imagine it slabbing in any TPG holder..

goodmoney4badmoney

This coin is a great example of what a counterfeit "soft die" double/multiple strike looks like. It turns out that the real intent was to counterfeit a 1943 cent. I'm glad it says 1943 so someone else cannot be easily fooled into thinking it is actually an error coin.

Tdec1000

Yes, honestly I thought it had a shot. Was worth the try IMHO. When you have it in hand it is definetely interesting!

WoodenJefferson

In the grading room, you had a COD (Coin of the Day) where everyone gathers round after someone says, "You gotta see this!"

I think it's one heck of a conversation piece and like what others have said, was not spawned inside the mint.

Tdec1000

You really think so? I have already had offers to buy.... don't exactly know how to price the darned thing of if I really even want to sell it.

Steve27

<< <i>In the grading room, you had a COD (Coin of the Day) where everyone gathers round after someone says, "You gotta see this!"

I think it's one heck of a conversation piece and like what others have said, was not spawned inside the mint. >>




I agree, quite a conversation piece but not real. If you wanted to sell it, I would put it on ebay with all the same pictures (including the BB) and start it at a buck.

Rob790

It's an obvious 100% fake piece.

The wavy fields indicate it was die struck from relatively soft dies and the obverse is severely over-polished --- which indicate it was done to remove poor field/device delineation.

Look at the reverse, the O in ONE is weak but the shoulder on the obverse is strong. That in itself is a dead giveaway of a fake.

Interesting piece but no way is it even close to being real.

Broadstruck

Yours isn't a one of a kind as I saw another just like it raw on EBay in 05 or 06 with a BIN ask over $15K.

Tdec1000

Did it ever sell?

Broadstruck

<< <i>Did it ever sell? >>



No and thinking back it was listed at a start of $15K BIN of $16-17K.

Bigrig52

The date looks to be altered to me

Tdec1000

<< <i>

<< <i>In the grading room, you had a COD (Coin of the Day) where everyone gathers round after someone says, "You gotta see this!"

I think it's one heck of a conversation piece and like what others have said, was not spawned inside the mint. >>




I agree, quite a conversation piece but not real. If you wanted to sell it, I would put it on ebay with all the same pictures (including the BB) and start it at a buck. >>



Well I just tried that and after 2 days....it was pulled.. something about that I need to put it in the replica/reproduction category.

lloydmincy

Seen those before - totally fake. You can immediately tell by the 4 and the 3 in the date - not even close. Even if it was authentic, it is so damaged, it wouldn't be worth much... oh well.