Initial research on a group of struck fake 1803 "C-3" half cents-Draft

I am working on an article summarizing initial research on a group of struck fake 1803 half cents.

This one has become particularly difficult, as there appear to be 2 groups of fakes, one I call "originals", the other "restrikes".

As in the case of many of these groups of counterfeits we have found the probable genuine source coin, and then found it submitted for certification to a major TPG after fake examples hit the radar screen.

The 1st image shows the source example from an original auction and then as resubmitted for certification.

The 2nd image shows a pair of the original struck fakes.

The 3rd image shows the progression from the source to the "restrike" example submitted for certification (and determined to be fake by the TPG circa fall of 2015). Major attribution marks are indicated in the circles along with the differences in the engraved leaves. 4th image is a close-up of the touch-up (traces of berry removed, last leaf vein added).

Several of the attribution marks from the 1st group appear to be reduced, including the deep scratch from the “E” to “C”, but the break at the top right of the “E” remain.

This is the only time we have seen this- build a die from a source, strike several examples, then retouch the dies and create a different group of clones to sell. One major common attribution point on all appears to be the slanted “ding” in the “T” of LIBERTY…

The final 2 images are of my attribution pages for these groups of counterfeits.

Comments welcomed!
Best, Jack.