Is an altered coin considered a counterfeit?

TopographicOceans

For an example with 1853 Seated Liberty coins, there are two varieties - without and with arrows at the date.

The value of an 1853 uncirculated Seated Liberty dime without arrows is worth about three times than one with arrows.

So people will grind off arrows and sell it as the No Arrows variety.
It is still a genuine US coin, but has been altered. Is it a countereit or what term would you use to describe it?

FredWeinberg

Altered/Damaged/BOA



Take your choice - (BOA = Buffed Off Arrows)



I would not call it a counterfeit, although I suppose

some would say it could be called a counterfeit variety;

still, it's not a counterfeit to my definition.

guitarwes

In your case, it's an altered coin, or counterfeit variety.



A genuine coin is always a genuine coin any and all the time.

AMRC

Great question. The answer is, "it depends." I had one situation in which a coin, was graded as "Genuine" with "Extensive Repairs" on it by one grading house but they would not (and this is a recent situation) put a details grade on it. When we tried to cross the coin to the other side of the street, the coins was even considered genuine, I assume due to the extensiveness of the repair. The coin was a rarity by anyone's standards, and was quite significantly repaired, so the whole thing was quite fascinating to watch unfold. Sot I guess, at some point, and alteration can cease to make a coin worthy of a "genuine" designation. Not always, but sometimes.

CaptHenway

Altered.

coinkat

I agree with CaptHenway

AUandAG

Here is an altered date 1853 Quarter with arrows and rays (but no arrows!)



Can't fool anyone with this example as they forgot to smooth the rays on the reverse!



bob



http://www.ebay.com/itm/1853-S...2f4:g:e4UAAOSw3xJVa3RR

PTVETTER

Was it produced by the US Mint?



It may have been altered but not counterfeit .

golden

Originally posted by: guitarwes
In your case, it's an altered coin, or counterfeit variety.

A genuine coin is always a genuine coin any and all the time.

winky

Yes it is only altered.

FredF

Definitely not counterfeit - you could still use it to pay your taxes and the government would honor it at face value

TwoSides2aCoin

Not counterfeit. Spurious.

savoyspecial

It depends on the extent of the alteration.....I think the word 'counterfeit' got used quite a bit to describe Daniel Carr's altered Peace Dollars

TopographicOceans

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin
Not counterfeit. Spurious.

I like Spurious.
Now we don't need to invent a new word.

ricko

Altered, not counterfeit....Cheers, RickO

ColonelJessup

Originally posted by: FredWeinberg
Altered/Damaged/BOA

Take your choice - (BOA = Buffed Off Arrows)

I would not call it a counterfeit, although I suppose
some would say it could be called a counterfeit variety;
still, it's not a counterfeit to my definition.

While Fred might not claim this, I, and the vast majority of dealers, would agree; his "definitions" are definitive.

Sloppy languaging on the part of others sometimes blurs the line. A quick look at various "details" designations from our hosts will shed much light.......

Hydrant

I don't think so.

asheland

Altered

TwoSides2aCoin

Originally posted by: TopographicOceans

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin
Not counterfeit. Spurious.

I like Spurious.
Now we don't need to invent a new word.

Language is funnier than intent until it's not funny.
I could add color or take it away. That's altered, too.
And it's natural. That's what the natural man does: gravitating to science, language, the arts, math, etc.,

johnny9434

Originally posted by: coinkat
I agree with CaptHenway

+1