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18th century stuivers ... FAKE REPLICA photos
LochNESS
Posts: 4,829 ✭✭✭
My latest consignment arrived today from Sweden: two bonk bars and four stuiver coins from Ceylon. Dated late 1700's. They look VG to me, but I'm not sure. I'm going to get some opinions at the show today (I'm in Knoxville).
The coins are thick and heavy! Much more so then I had expected. But I'm especially excited about the bonk bars, because it's my first transaction with this type (bar money):
The coins are thick and heavy! Much more so then I had expected. But I'm especially excited about the bonk bars, because it's my first transaction with this type (bar money):
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At a recent show, Steve Damron and I were ogling a gem British Trade Dollar that he had picked up for a client, it had like ten counterstamps. It was the coolest example either of us had ever seen. That's what dealing is all about IMHO.
Amat Colligendo Focum
Top 10 • FOR SALE
by local streetsellers a.k as mister wannasee.
You can buy them overthere for $ 5 a piece, offered on eBay and other online sites they make $ 50 - $100
the real ones are very scarce today, and make $1000 or more.
sometimes offered on eBay with the replika stamp filled away.
No need for consolation; they are not mine no money lost. Received for consignment and posted here to gather opinions from Dutch collectors such as yourself. So thank you, and great photos!
Since my OP on Friday, other forumites and I have noticed some red flags. Even though these bars do not resemble anything in Andres' photos, his post confirms. Here are the red flags I found during my examination:
- when held side-by-side, both bars share too many dimensional characteristics and strike characteristics, including having exactly the same die rotation (as if they were poured into a mold) and matching flaws
- Font on some letters doesn't match the image in Krause
- patina and colour not appropriate
- weight doesn't feel right (looking back, this was the first red flag which I even mentioned in my OP)
Now I must tell Mr. Avesta Sweden that his grandfather's collection isn't worth the return postage
Amat Colligendo Focum
Top 10 • FOR SALE
the lenght can vary between 58 mm & 105 mm
they were made out of japanese copper bars between 1783 - 1795 in Colombo / Jafna and Galle on the Island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
the original are indeed hammered struck , not poured in a mold as these fake ones
the VOC logo and the 4 3/4 stiver stamps stand vertical on the original ones , not horizontal as with the fake ones.
value is between 50 - 100 USD (not mentioning they are fake)as with most listings you see on eBay
with a remark that these are fakes, replica's or modern issues, price will be in the 20-40 USD range
there will be buyers , because the originals are rare , scarce and pricey.
NB: there are also 6 Stiver bonk bars, marked VI & St , longer and heavier , and even more scarce then the 4 3/4 Stiver bars,
At this time, no replika or fake 6 stiver bars are known to me.
I might entertain offers outside of my eBay store but first I must inform the client.
Amat Colligendo Focum
Top 10 • FOR SALE
I picked this one up on a local site, looks OK to me.
I have a 1826s Netherlands indie 1/4 stuiver in AG condition
i'm unsure if it's a copy or real bought it at the local coin shop some years ago
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNDYygpVqRggzFwSgk_IQv6N5QQyFz-lpgw6laR
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNDYygpVqRggzFwSgk_IQv6N5QQyFz-lpgw6laR
I did not. Ultimately decided against it. Yours are lovely! Their color is much more my style.
Amat Colligendo Focum
Top 10 • FOR SALE