test your knowledge, which one is counterfeit ?

ebaybuyer · August 20, 2014 12:24AM

a recent thread by stone prompted me to share a few contemporary counterfeits. here is a group of four seemingly innocent 1854 quarters, but one of them isn't innocent, its an imposter. which one is it and why do you believe it is ? the answer will be revealed later today

pjcoins · August 20, 2014 12:32AM

1854-o

STONE · August 20, 2014 12:39AM

Honestly, all of them look like they could be.

LindeDad · August 20, 2014 12:48AM

<< <i>Honestly, all of them look like they could be. >>

They were busy back then.

commoncents05 · August 20, 2014 12:59AM

<< <i>Honestly, all of them look like they could be. >>

-Paul

ebaybuyer · August 20, 2014 1:01AM

anything can be fake, im looking for reasons or explanation to support an opinion

STONE · August 20, 2014 1:07AM

The upper-left 1854-O seems off-color (German silver look) with a granular-looking date
The upper-right 1854 (P) looks like a decent coin, but is probably a bit light and made of lead. I see some bubbles in the details between the dentils and USofA
The lower-left 1854 (P) looks like a brassy-silver alloy, maybe silver wash, with wider rims than normal, otherwise looks pretty good
The lower-right 1854-S has strange-looking, almost hand-cut-looking obverse dentils, probably an alloy with copper in it given the red, possibly oxidation coloring on the surface, not to mention numerous reverse test scratches, the surfaces also appear porous and may not have been strongly struck or impressed upon manufacture

ebaybuyer · August 20, 2014 1:15AM

good job stone, the obverse denticles of the 1854-o is what drew my attention to it, as well as the color as stone stated, definitely german silver, the upper right is antimony which is a mixture of lead and powdered glass (the glass gives it a ring) lower left is a very good fake, being of an alloy that closely resembles worn silver. and the 1854-S should be obvious as the san fran mint didn't produce any quarters until 1855