Updated with new photos: 1804 half cent....real or fake?

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opportunity
opportunity Posts: 1,067 ✭✭✭✭
edited August 2, 2017 3:48PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Well I got it. The obverse seems to match the spiked chin variety, but the reverse matches no known 1804 reverse. So, either I have a new variety, a collectible electrotype (which would be fine with me), or a modern junk fake. What's the verdict, gang?

Seller's photos:

Mine:

Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.

Comments

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 28, 2017 4:34AM
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    The coin looks real to me although you side angle photos don't help with the authentication. The variety is Cohen 12, Crosslet 4, Stemless, a fairly common variety. The has to be cheap to be a bargain because it is corroded with some mild cleaning added in. The It looks like EF sharpness, corroded.

    Edited to add -

    It's a counterfeit! My mistake!!!

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • opportunity
    opportunity Posts: 1,067 ✭✭✭✭
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    Eh, I paid $60, but what do I know, I'm wet behind the ears when it comes to EAC. Probably not such a great deal in retrospect.

    Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    You won't get hurt for $60. For several hundred ... that's another story.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • LoveMyLiberty
    LoveMyLiberty Posts: 1,784 ✭✭✭
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    I would not buy it. That is not the rev. of C-12.

    My Type Set

    R.I.P. Bear image
  • morgandollar1878
    morgandollar1878 Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I'm not that well versed in early copper but it does not look authentic to me. First red flag for me is the rims.

    Instagram: nomad_numismatics
  • Aegis3
    Aegis3 Posts: 2,943 ✭✭✭
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    Spiked head, stemless. That should tell us something.

    --

    Ed. S.

    (EJS)
  • mannie gray
    mannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    My spidey senses went off after about 1 sec. of viewing the pic.
    Doesn't look good.

  • CommemKing
    CommemKing Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Is there a spiked chin there? In any event, something looks off.

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 28, 2017 3:53AM
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    @CommemKing said:
    Is there a spiked chin there? In any event, something looks off.

    You guys are right. I think it is a counterfeit. There is a mini spiked chin there, and the spiked chin varieties all had stems on the wreath. The other marks that show in field of the spiked chin variety are missing.

    In "the good old days" crisp devices were an indicator that a coin was genuine. Now the crooks are able to duplicate that.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • opportunity
    opportunity Posts: 1,067 ✭✭✭✭
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    Bumping this for more comments.

    Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.

  • Insider2
    Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    COUNTERFEIT! Lumps, bumps, unusual die polish, weakness, wavy fields. I'll bet the weight is "off" also.

  • Coin Finder
    Coin Finder Posts: 7,805 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    NOT Real

    The court jester does not play, but gently pulls the strings…

  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    As others have indicated... spike chin variety, but no stems reverse. Also, the rims screamed counterfeit to me as well.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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  • WoodenJefferson
    WoodenJefferson Posts: 6,491 ✭✭✭✭
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    Spend it!

    Wait, your gonna need to get another one.

    Chat Board Lingo

    "Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
  • jdimmick
    jdimmick Posts: 9,992 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    No good

  • MikeInFL
    MikeInFL Posts: 10,192 ✭✭✭✭
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    That coin has the look of a counterfeit to me.

    Far to strongly struck around the bust, but the actual details inside the bust are weak.

    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.

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