Old way to "camouflage" a counterfeit coin

Insider2 · October 9, 2019 2:38PM

I have not seen this in a very long time. Decades ago, fakers would put black shoe polish or paint into the recesses of there counterfeit to hide the granular surface and make the coin look old.

Aercus · October 9, 2019 3:14PM

Another thing to watch out for. Some of us younger guys haven't seen the old time tricks yet, good to have this info!

thefinn · October 9, 2019 4:57PM

Old school - back when people actually polished their shoes, or paid someone to do it for them.

AUandAG · October 9, 2019 5:16PM

The Chinese are still doing it on their fake Morgans.

bob

Insider2 · October 9, 2019 5:19PM

@AUandAG said:
The Chinese are still doing it on their fake Morgans.

bob

Have an example? I have not seen one yet.

ShadyDave · October 10, 2019 5:38AM

@Insider2 Can you show the entire coin along with your microscope pic?

Lakesammman · October 10, 2019 5:43AM

Does it smell like shoe polish?

AUandAG · October 10, 2019 8:04AM

@Insider2 said:

@AUandAG said:
The Chinese are still doing it on their fake Morgans.

bob

Have an example? I have not seen one yet.

Here is an example off of Alibaba.com (searched "Morgan dollar" in the search bar)

Kkathyl · October 10, 2019 8:06AM

ricko · October 10, 2019 8:59AM

@Insider2 ....You should be writing a book on all the various methods and tricks used to scam collectors....I am sure the collector community would make it a best seller....Cheers, RickO

Insider2 · October 10, 2019 9:14AM

@AUandAG said:

@Insider2 said:

@AUandAG said:
The Chinese are still doing it on their fake Morgans.

bob

Have an example? I have not seen one yet.

Here is an example off of Alibaba.com (searched "Morgan dollar" in the search bar)

Thanks. Not the same.

@Kkathyl said:

Thanks. Not the same.

There is a difference between darkening a coin with chemicals and putting some form of thick, black goop on it.

Insider2 · October 10, 2019 9:15AM

@Lakesammman said:
Does it smell like shoe polish?

No, this is more like a hard paint that flakes off.

Insider2 · October 10, 2019 9:16AM

@ShadyDave said:
@Insider2 Can you show the entire coin along with your microscope pic?

Nope. Sorry.

Insider2 · October 10, 2019 9:31AM

@ricko said:
@Insider2 ....You should be writing a book on all the various methods and tricks used to scam collectors....I am sure the collector community would make it a best seller....Cheers, RickO

I have been trying to do this since 1976! Much of the "new" knowledge is now common place but there are still "new" things to be revealed. It is hard and time consuming to write a book. Finally, about thirty years ago, I started writing columns for Numismatic News as a way to put things on paper. One day you may be able to buy a copy of:
DELETE. Decided not to reveal the title as at least one author published a book based on my Summer Seminar Class! The next time he saw me he handed me a copy of HIS WORK! LOL.

I will recommend a very good book that with just a few changes I could have written: The Art and Science of Grading Coins: Jason Poe.

As for authentication. There are several around but none of them come close to the quality/presentation of the grading guide above.

burfle23 · October 10, 2019 10:22AM

The Chinese have become pretty good with adding "environmental damage" to new early copper counterfeits but I have not seen black shoe polish or paint yet!

messydesk · October 10, 2019 10:55AM

@Insider2 said:

@ricko said:
@Insider2 ....You should be writing a book on all the various methods and tricks used to scam collectors....I am sure the collector community would make it a best seller....Cheers, RickO

I have been trying to do this since 1976! Much of the "new" knowledge is now common place but there are still "new" things to be revealed. It is hard and time consuming to write a book. Finally, about thirty years ago, I started writing columns for Numismatic News as a way to put things on paper. One day you may be able to buy a copy of:
DELETE. Decided not to reveal the title as at least one author published a book based on my Summer Seminar Class! The next time he saw me he handed me a copy of HIS WORK! LOL.

I will recommend a very good book that with just a few changes I could have written: The Art and Science of Grading Coins: Jason Poe.

As for authentication. There are several around but none of them come close to the quality/presentation of the grading guide above.

Tagging @physicsfan314 , as he wrote the book you mention.

Meltdown · October 10, 2019 11:01AM

photo IMG_5779.jpg
photo IMG_5780.jpg

Insider2 · October 10, 2019 11:14AM

@Meltdown said:

Thanks, but not the same alteration. I'll pull some examples out of my C/F collection when i get the time.

Meltdown · October 10, 2019 11:16AM

Ooops. I assume darkened is darkened, maybe not with shoe polish though.

Insider2 · October 10, 2019 11:27AM

These are hard, reflective, "thick" black coatings on two cast fakes.

ricko · October 10, 2019 11:42AM

@Insider2 ....Get busy on your book.....stop procrastinating dude.... Cheers, RickO

Kkathyl · October 10, 2019 11:55AM

I was simply adding a before and after pictures of Fake Morgan that a dear friend had given me to learn and detect fakes. Some buy Fake China coins to alter and sell to new collectors. Shoe polish no fake yes. Anyone in that arena is not a coin collector they are just degenerates and harm the market and future value of coins for all collectors. If you want to collect Morgan’s it’s a good idea to see fakes and study so you don’t get ripped off. Great discussion and topic.

Kathy

Old way to "camouflage" a counterfeit coin

Comments