Here's some good advice. Since you live in a big city call a couple of Pawn stores and see if they have a way to check metal content and purity (electronically). Take it down and have it checked. See what they offer..
Get some real information. It appears that the dealers didn't want to deal with the coin....perhaps a plated example of sorts or damaged, or fake, etc.
bob
Look up specific gravity test on the web and then do one (great learning tool). Post your results here.
Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
Wow, the original posted responded back to the thread. I wasn't expecting that. For his sake, I'll translate the rest of the replies:
Based on the information you have provided, the unanimous opinion of the people on this thread is that your coin is not what you think it is. You have responded by saying, basically, "Is too!" That isn't helpful. If you want to get different answers, you need to provide more information than you have provided. That information could include:
* Pictures * Accurate weight * Metallic composition with details of how you got that composition (tested via Acme Corp model ACME-123 machine) * Citation BY NAME of a person who has examined this coin in hand.
I would personally love for you to be right... but based on what you've said so far, I'm also firmly in the "not real" camp. l
<< <i>Sounds like gold plated that was soldered to something. >>
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
great advice, thanks alot, ive heard about electronically checking, but i dont know any jewelry or coin dealers with one off the top of the head, but i will look further into it and i will post anything i find
for pictures of how it looks, somebody posted a picture that looks almost identicle (i still have to inspect the pic better tho to be sure), just mine is 1943
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
yea ive been wanting to do that too, but im not sure how to. where to start, who to ask, what part of the facility to go to. lol at least i admit it when im a noob, lol.
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
no evidence of soldering, but thanks for the opinion. i solder alot of pipes around the house, if its any process similar to that... it doesnt look the same
and again... the details on this coin are 100% both back and front, not a single line is filled or missing
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
OP: You may or may not be new to collecting, but if you want to foster some real conversation here, please post pictures. Kind of a waste of time otherwise.
i know its philly mint because theres no mint mark of course, and as i said before, the detail is 100%, not a line filled or missing. its like having a fresh mint state coin, just the metals are out of line
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
waste of time u asking for one after i stated in the beginning and another 10 times that i dont have a camera right now
theres a pic already posted on here that i said looks almost exactly, look at that
and come on guys... i know a pic helps... but come on... its a forum, not everybody has a cell phone or camera, mines by choice (i will get a camera soon tho)
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
actually, they are not that rare. i have one in PCGS MS69. i think it's worth a little bit more because of the "Ignatz" first strike label and the PQ sticker.
WoodenJefferson, im intrigued by the story of ur uncle and the photo u provided, can u give me as much information as possible? as i stated before, i know where a 2nd coin is located at
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
<< <i>yea ive been wanting to do that too, but im not sure how to. where to start, who to ask, what part of the facility to go to. lol at least i admit it when im a noob, lol. >>
Take it down to Switt Jewelers 130 South 8th Street (215) 922-3830 and ask them how to make contact with the Mint.
We're all trying to be helpful, but since you can't post any photos, the members here are responding to what you've written only.
I can tell you that since the US Mint stopped making gold coins in 1933, and your coin is dated about 10 years later, there is no reason why a half-dollar size planchet, made of gold, would be floating around in the Mint when your Walking Liberty Half dollar was struck.
(the Mint didn't make gold coins again till 1984, for the Olympics)
Even without seeing a picture of your coin, or knowing the weight of it, I'm quite certain is is simply a gold-plated coin - a novelty item.
There are thousands of gold-plated coins that end up in circulation, and are thought to be real 'gold' by those who find them in their change, etc.
While I don't know what the 'solder' or ? is on the back of your coin, the fact that there is some 'other metal'/color on your piece is proof that it's been 'played' with after the coin left the Phily Mint.
I'm very willing to step out and say, without seeing it, or knowing the weight of it, that what you see did not occur at any U.S. Mint,and that it's not gold.
When you weigh it (any coin shop or jewelry store in your city will be happy to do so), you'll find that it weighs somewhat more than a normal silver Half Dollar, but no where near what a GOLD half-dollar sized planchet would weigh. (gold is heavier than silver).
Until we see photos and/or know the weight of your coin, there is absolutely no logical reason to suspect the coin was struck in gold.
It's your coin, and you're untitled to believe whatever you wish, but please understand that all of the posts made here in your thread are from other collectors or dealers who are trying to be helpful - and realistic.
Fred
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
<< <i>yea ive been wanting to do that too, but im not sure how to. where to start, who to ask, what part of the facility to go to. lol at least i admit it when im a noob, lol. >>
Take it down to Switt Jewelers 130 South 8th Street (215) 922-3830 and ask them how to make contact with the Mint. >>
Geeze...I wonder if Ignatz is any relation to Izzy...I might be 4th cousins twice removed or sumptin from the Langbord's
<< <i>is there any more information u can give me on this? a website link to maybe an article or anything? i know where a 2nd coin is at >>
Half Dollars are commonly gold plated and used as jewelry. No doubt, the piece you have has been electro plated. If used in a belt buckle, it would not be uncommon to have silver solder on the reverse.
This, in effect, damages the coin (kinda like running it through a gold plating bath?).
A gold plated half dollar would weight maybe 12.6 grams but a solid gold half dollar would weigh close to 30 grams. Have your piece weighed and report back the results.
Here's my Eisenhower Dollar:
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
I thought Fred's response was both very thoughtful and respectful. Hats off to Fred.
Now for my devils advocate question. I realize the mint wasn't striking any gold for circulation in the US in 1943. Would it have been possible for the US mint to be striking foreign gold coins at that time?
beatsbyave---Read and study Fred Weinberg's post. He is the foremost error coin expert and he literally wrote the book on the subject. The silver area on the reverse is either silver solder or an area of the coin where the gold plating did not adhere. Have a jeweler weigh your coin and a similar unplated silver half dollar. If it were gold it would weigh considerably more than the unplated silver half since gold is much dense than silver (higher specific gravity). Let us know what you find out and welcome to the coin forum.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Now for my devils advocate question. I realize the mint wasn't striking any gold for circulation in the US in 1943. Would it have been possible for the US mint to be striking foreign gold coins at that time?
Without looking at Krause, I'd say that it's very unlikely that any country would have been spending the time to mint gold coins of any size during WWII (when gold bars were perfectly acceptable).
There were very few countries that ever minted half-dollar size gold coins - the US, the UK, France, one or two of the South American countries (in small quantities) and the ARAMCO 4-soveriegn pieces are all I can think of.
[Without looking at Krause, I'd say that it's very unlikely that any country would have been spending the time to mint gold coins of any size during WWII (when gold bars were perfectly acceptable).
Not to throw cold water on the OPs idea, but the is ZERO possibility that coin or whatever he possesses was made at the Philadelphia Mint. Why you might ask, because there was NO gold there. When the Mint went back to producing gold, it was all struck at West Point. You cannot make what you do not have. It is a nice story, but so are the others and they have the same plausibility.
Retired United States Mint guy, now working on an Everyman Type Set.
I am NOT endorsing the OP's claim but the Philadelphia mint did strike gold coins in 1945 and 1946, only not for U.S. circulation. Here is a link to an ad for an ARAMCO gold coin. This coin was struck for use with Saudi Arabia. That said, I agree 110% with your suggestion about the possibility of the OP's claim.
I stand corrected... and withdraw my comment, except for the fact I do not believe there is such a "coin" unless it is one of those plated things sold by a TV seller
Retired United States Mint guy, now working on an Everyman Type Set.
thanks for the advice fred, but some of those possibilities have been weeded out already. this coin has me so stumped on why it is the way it, looks like no other example except for wooden's. i understand that gold was not minted, but i have been told it was able tested on coins. is it possible a gold blank made it into the wrong coin? (doesnt explain the silver laid on the back, but im mostly curious about why the coin made of gold)
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
Because there are no photos/scans, nor any weight of your coin, NONE of those possibilities I mentioned have been eliminated.
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
mark, that is very true. the philadelphia mint has always had the gold during ww2 but it was used for different purposes legally. the story that wooden told me about his uncle ignatz has intrigued me of the possibilities.
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
fred, im not the most expert, but i had a jeweler tell me the coin was made of gold, silver added to the back, and ive had coin dealers check on the detailing. the part im worried about most is the authenticity. i really do need to get in touch with the mint or a representitive to find out more information but im clueless where to start. for those asking before... im in the Lancaster, PA area.
mine is a 1943 but it looks almost 100% similar to this, but the details on mine are better and gold color is closer to pure
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im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
<< <i>thanks for the advice fred, but some of those possibilities have been weeded out already. this coin has me so stumped on why it is the way it, looks like no other example except for wooden's. i understand that gold was not minted, but i have been told it was able tested on coins. is it possible a gold blank made it into the wrong coin? (doesnt explain the silver laid on the back, but im mostly curious about why the coin made of gold) >>
<< <i>I suggest you send it in for authentication to PCGS and get it photographed by them and report back to us, we are all hoping you strike it big. >>
I'm wondering if PCGS wouldn't take the coin for certification/authentication gratis, just for the exposure of handling it? I'd call customer service and ask about such a submission. Couldn't hurt, right?
<< <i>I suggest you send it in for authentication to PCGS and get it photographed by them and report back to us, we are all hoping you strike it big. >>
Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. I'm still trying to just get him to weigh it.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Comments
to check metal content and purity (electronically). Take it down and have it checked. See what they offer..
Get some real information. It appears that the dealers didn't want to deal with the coin....perhaps a plated
example of sorts or damaged, or fake, etc.
bob
Look up specific gravity test on the web and then do one (great learning tool). Post your results here.
<< <i>waste of a comment?
no jokes, this a real coin im sitting on for some time now.
i got experts baffled, me baffled, and everybody i know. its a huge WTF? piece, which is why im here for help now... >>
You live in Philadelphia; there is a mint facility there so why not ask them to authenticate it. Just don't let them Langbord you.
i simply stated im looking for more information on something that i dont have a clue about...
^ that makes me an "expert"? since when?
middle finger to u too buddy! =P
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
Based on the information you have provided, the unanimous opinion of the people on this thread is that your coin is not what you think it is. You have responded by saying, basically, "Is too!" That isn't helpful. If you want to get different answers, you need to provide more information than you have provided. That information could include:
* Pictures
* Accurate weight
* Metallic composition with details of how you got that composition (tested via Acme Corp model ACME-123 machine)
* Citation BY NAME of a person who has examined this coin in hand.
I would personally love for you to be right... but based on what you've said so far, I'm also firmly in the "not real" camp. l
<< <i>Sounds like gold plated that was soldered to something. >>
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
but mine is dated 1943
thanks for the photo, whoa!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
Free Trial
for pictures of how it looks, somebody posted a picture that looks almost identicle (i still have to inspect the pic better tho to be sure), just mine is 1943
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
and again... the details on this coin are 100% both back and front, not a single line is filled or missing
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
theres a pic here on the 3rd page that im pretty sure nailed it (still inspecting picture)
thanks!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
theres a pic already posted on here that i said looks almost exactly, look at that
and come on guys... i know a pic helps... but come on... its a forum, not everybody has a cell phone or camera, mines by choice
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
<< <i>ud think people wouldnt be so ignorant... >>
When you start at the bottom - as with this thread - there is no place to go except up.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
<< <i>yea ive been wanting to do that too, but im not sure how to. where to start, who to ask, what part of the facility to go to. lol at least i admit it when im a noob, lol. >>
Take it down to Switt Jewelers 130 South 8th Street (215) 922-3830 and ask them how to make contact with the Mint.
<< <i>i wouldnt say that much now...
theres 100's of wrong metal coins, tests, and varieties never released by the mint.
most of the reason being that the government knows us coin collectors can give them incredible value >>
Since gold was recalled in 1933, I hardly believe that the US Mint would make a 1943 WL Half out of gold so, put that into your "fact" base.
The name is LEE!
<< <i>middle finger to u too buddy! =P >>
This'll get you the information you seek grasshopper..............
The name is LEE!
We're all trying to be helpful, but since you can't post any photos,
the members here are responding to what you've written only.
I can tell you that since the US Mint stopped making gold coins in 1933,
and your coin is dated about 10 years later, there is no reason why a
half-dollar size planchet, made of gold, would be floating around in the
Mint when your Walking Liberty Half dollar was struck.
(the Mint didn't make gold coins again till 1984, for the Olympics)
Even without seeing a picture of your coin, or knowing the weight of it,
I'm quite certain is is simply a gold-plated coin - a novelty item.
There are thousands of gold-plated coins that end up in circulation, and
are thought to be real 'gold' by those who find them in their change, etc.
While I don't know what the 'solder' or ? is on the back of your coin, the
fact that there is some 'other metal'/color on your piece is proof that it's been
'played' with after the coin left the Phily Mint.
I'm very willing to step out and say, without seeing it, or knowing the weight
of it, that what you see did not occur at any U.S. Mint,and that it's not gold.
When you weigh it (any coin shop or jewelry store in your city will be happy
to do so), you'll find that it weighs somewhat more than a normal silver
Half Dollar, but no where near what a GOLD half-dollar sized planchet would weigh.
(gold is heavier than silver).
Until we see photos and/or know the weight of your coin, there is absolutely
no logical reason to suspect the coin was struck in gold.
It's your coin, and you're untitled to believe whatever you wish, but please understand
that all of the posts made here in your thread are from other collectors or dealers
who are trying to be helpful - and realistic.
Fred
<< <i>
<< <i>yea ive been wanting to do that too, but im not sure how to. where to start, who to ask, what part of the facility to go to. lol at least i admit it when im a noob, lol. >>
Take it down to Switt Jewelers 130 South 8th Street (215) 922-3830 and ask them how to make contact with the Mint. >>
Geeze...I wonder if Ignatz is any relation to Izzy...I might be 4th cousins twice removed or sumptin from the Langbord's
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
<< <i>is there any more information u can give me on this? a website link to maybe an article or anything? i know where a 2nd coin is at >>
Half Dollars are commonly gold plated and used as jewelry. No doubt, the piece you have has been electro plated. If used in a belt buckle, it would not be uncommon to have silver solder on the reverse.
This, in effect, damages the coin (kinda like running it through a gold plating bath?).
A gold plated half dollar would weight maybe 12.6 grams but a solid gold half dollar would weigh close to 30 grams. Have your piece weighed and report back the results.
Here's my Eisenhower Dollar:
The name is LEE!
<< <i>... the details on this coin are 100% both back and front, not a single line is filled or missing >>
As an admitted "non-expert", you cannot make this claim.
The name is LEE!
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
Now for my devils advocate question. I realize the mint wasn't striking any gold for circulation in the US in 1943. Would it have been possible for the US mint to be striking foreign gold coins at that time?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Without looking at Krause, I'd say that it's very unlikely that any country would have been spending the time to mint gold coins of any size during WWII (when gold bars were perfectly acceptable).
There were very few countries that ever minted half-dollar size gold coins - the US, the UK, France, one or two of the South American countries (in small quantities) and the ARAMCO 4-soveriegn pieces are all I can think of.
Check out the Southern Gold Society
My thoughts also.
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
I am NOT endorsing the OP's claim but the Philadelphia mint did strike gold coins in 1945 and 1946, only not for U.S. circulation. Here is a link to an ad for an ARAMCO gold coin. This coin was struck for use with Saudi Arabia. That said, I agree 110% with your suggestion about the possibility of the OP's claim.
I stand corrected... and withdraw my comment, except for the fact I do not believe there is such a "coin" unless it is one of those plated things sold by a TV seller
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
I'm sorry to disagree with you.
Because there are no photos/scans, nor any weight of your coin,
NONE of those possibilities I mentioned have been eliminated.
If you do, 4 of them likely own phones.
Of those, 3 likely have photo capability.
Have one of them take a few pictures.
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
Erik
mine is a 1943 but it looks almost 100% similar to this, but the details on mine are better and gold color is closer to pure
im new to collecting still, but now im sitting on certain pieces that i only dreamed of before. quality over quanity for sure!
Still awaiting pics.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
<< <i>thanks for the advice fred, but some of those possibilities have been weeded out already. this coin has me so stumped on why it is the way it, looks like no other example except for wooden's. i understand that gold was not minted, but i have been told it was able tested on coins. is it possible a gold blank made it into the wrong coin? (doesnt explain the silver laid on the back, but im mostly curious about why the coin made of gold) >>
Why don't you arrange to send the coin to Fred.
<< <i>I suggest you send it in for authentication to PCGS and get it photographed by them and report back to us, we are all hoping you strike it big. >>
I'm wondering if PCGS wouldn't take the coin for certification/authentication gratis, just for the exposure of handling it? I'd call customer service and
ask about such a submission. Couldn't hurt, right?
<< <i>I suggest you send it in for authentication to PCGS and get it photographed by them and report back to us, we are all hoping you strike it big. >>
Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. I'm still trying to just get him to weigh it.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire