Vermont Half - Is it Fake?
Connecticoin
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I have a Vermont Half listed on ebay that someone messaged me that it might be fake. It is of the correct weight (12.5g) and looks genuine at first glance, but there are some differences on the reverse that I am not seeing on the Vermont Trueviews in Coinfacts. The "A" in "AUG" appears doubled, and the "R" and "I" in Pluribus dip below the bottom of the other letters. Also the cat's snout looks different, there is a raised die polishing line above the cat's head, and there are some raised bumps below the word "trust". I was initially thinking this was struck by a worn or eroded die, but now I don't know. I have never heard of Vermont Commems being counterfeited, and it does not look like one of those Chinese fakes.
Comments would be appreciated!
Comments
Yes, it's a copy.
I'm not an expert but I don't like it at all.
Several things look off to me.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Do not like that one.
for comparison:
The lettering is smeared into the rims and the dog's head looks like a badger.
I'm concerned about some bumps on Ira's forehead and in his hair, and the obverse lettering looks sort of "fat." Also check the cat's mouth, and AUG 16 on the reverse.
Was the original cast or struck?
The pic has a lot of bubble-like artifacts on the obverse (cheek, collar, etc.)
Dog?
Ira Allen was real famous for his dawgs. Ethan too.
I don't think the USA has ever shown a Dog on a coin. Seems like a serious omission.
About all I fairly certain of is that the coin in the original post has been cleaned. If it is a fake it could fool me.
Why would anyone take the time and effort to counterfeit this coin? That being said, the curl of the 2 in 1927 is totally different than the genuine posted.
The cat's snout looks like the entire cat is crashing into the side of op's coin. Plus look at the difference in the R and I in pluribus, as well the top of the A in AUG. and the first 7 in 1777.
Yes its cleaned, and I say that in the auction. But if it is counterfeit, I will need to end it.
If its fake, its a fairly good one.
Interesting. What were these commems worth in the 60-70s? $10 -$20? Still seems like a lot of effort for little gain.
Why? Because no one will suspect it. Ever hear of the Henning nickels?
Not a 60's or 70's counterfeit. That one is fresh off the boat from China.
100% Guaranteed Genuine............ Counterfeit.
Have you seen these counterfeits for sale somewhere? Why are you sure it is fresh?
Yes I can see current listings from China and am able to see the same die markers. I will not post a link here but if the OP or another long term board member wants a link I would be happy to provide one. $1.42 each.... order as many as you want, I sure they would make you even more that the U.S. Mint made.
I tried to copy the photo from the link but it would not let me. I will try to find another photo to post.
Some of the things mentioned already are the last 7, the doubling of the A & the raised gouge above the cat's head.![]
(https://us.v-cdn.net/6027503/uploads/editor/7s/upb27r62cpj3.jpg "")
Not sure why the photo didn't post but it looks like the link to it works.
The tail was the first thing that looked odd to me when I first looked at the original post pictures. And when compared to the graded example it looks a little amateurish. I would say it's not genuine.
Thanks. I'm assuming Alibaba?
More than one site has these listed.
I will not post sites and I don't like to post too many die markers on a public forum. You don't want to tell the counterfeiter what to fix on the next run of dies. This is a very big problem for our fun little hobby. They make almost every U.S. coin with the exception of current nickels & cents. Yes you read that right, all years & all mint marks. You can get them "struck" in real silver and in a fake PCGS case too. Knowledge is king!
1). I haven't learned anything definitive here yet. Might be a type that I will buy soon (and it will be in a PCGS slab).
2). It has been a long time since I needed to put anybody on my 'ignore' list, but suddenly there are two new ones. How do I do that again?
$1.42 on Aliexpress, here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1927-VERMONT-SESQUICENTENNIAL-COMMEMORATIVE-HALF-DOLLAR-Copy-Coin-Free-Shipping/1961843616.html?
Why would any faker do it on half dollar although the cougar's nose looks too close 'for comfort' to the rim ..... and it a cougar isn't it?
Catamount, per the Red Book.
The dictionary suggests this is usually some form of cougar.
@Paradisefound In Vermont they call them a Catamount.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
It was called a CATAMOUNT. The green mountain militia were referred to as catamounts, due to their ability to move quietly and invisibly through the forests.
Bob Sr CEO Fieldtechs
And that coin is without a shadow of doubt COUNTERFIET.
Well based on the links to the Alibaba site, it is very likely fake. I ended the auction. Since the weight is correct, makes me wonder if they are striking them over junk 90% silver halves.
The one you have is plated in 90% silver.
Cataerfeit!
Cougar vs stuffed Catamount AKA Catamountain
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Gotta say that the OP's coin has much nicer surfaces. The Chinese coin I put up looks like it's come out of a rock tumbler.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
@BlindedByEgo Yes, the OP's coin does have much nicer surfaces.
I'm not qualified to have much of an opinion, but the naysayers haven't yet laid out any great case against the OP's coin.
Not just the OPs coin. Many others. The seller’s full store listing: Mercs, SLQ, quarters, half-cents, etc. So sad.
https://m.aliexpress.com/store/storeHome.htm?sellerAdminSeq=123410918#/
Both of the counterfeit coins shown in this thread have the same defects which are extensions on the lower parts of the "RI" in PLURIBUS.
Ah, a diagnostic. Thanks.
These are dangerous counterfeits, assuming they are counterfeits. 99% of collectors (and probably most dealers) have so little experience with this type coin they would not be able to identify it as a counterfeit. This type of counterfeit is going to have a very negative effect on coin collecting in the near future.
I can appreciate that response, and see that, many thanks!
Class is in session. Take notes, we're gonna need em! Peace Roy
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Interesting... definitely the diagnostics on the RI are clear.. also the 'pug nosed catamount'...Cheers, RickO
The 1 & 7 [of 1777] look off to my eye,
but, hey, I wear glasses.
BHNC #203
Yeah, if it sells for $1.47, it would need to be to make a profits, but how the hell do they get the weight correct then? As others posted, these are dangerous counterfeits.