Contemporary counterfeit bust halves

JCB1983

Just a quick question from an old ct fish, trying to swim in cu waters. I don't have a picture but I've run across a potential contemporary counterfeit bust half. It appears to be a knock off of an 1817/4, but there is no 4 present. What confuses me is that on the reverse I see 2 j's rather than I's. Would this constitute a contemporary counterfeit. If not can someone post a picture of a contemporary counterfeit? Just a curious fish here.

astrorat

The coin is not likely a contemporary counterfeit, but if a counterfeit, it's a numismatic (or made to fool collectors) counterfeit.

There are only two 1817 contemporary counterfeits listed in Davignon's book, "Contemporary Counterfeit Capped Bust Half Dollars" and none have the "Js" on the reverse.

The "Js" on the reverse are characteristic of "Reverse B" for genuine 1817 halves, found on O-102 (1817/4) and O-103 (Punctuated Date).

Without an image, of course, it's difficult to provide an opinion as to whether is is an authentic 1817 and to which die marriage it belongs.

Good luck!

jesbroken

Yes, JCB, give us a photo of the obv and rev of this coin. The two j's are showing on the 1817/4 in Coin Facts and also in the 181.7 punctuated date. Check to see if there is a dot between the 1 and 7. Again, pics would be nice.

Jim