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Chop marks anyone?

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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan I had Trades that appeared to be the same chop by the same tool. Am i misunderstanding your point about

    "I was just having a conversation with some friends about a similar topic, someone had asked whether anyone had found the exact same chopmark on different coins (same character, same tool used). The answer for now, is "no", not that we know of."

    I have pics somewhere

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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan Please note 74s Obv across lib's arm, 73s Rev across the word Trade


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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭

    @Crypto said:
    @OriginalDan Please note 74s Obv across lib's arm, 73s Rev across the word Trade

    Right on

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Crypto said:
    @OriginalDan Please note 74s Obv across lib's arm, 73s Rev across the word Trade

    Hey that looks pretty close. Need to zoom in to confirm the "die details", which is more difficult with chops than coins because they weren't applied consistently like mint made coins are. When I stated that I don't think anyone has matched chopmarks between different coins, I think it hasn't been 100% confirmed yet mostly because nobody to my knowledge has tried hard enough.

    Keep in mind that I've thought I found a match maybe a dozen times, only to zoom in and realize they are slightly off. But this character isn't super common, so I think it has a chance. I'll pull up the full size images and do an analysis.

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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan said:

    @Crypto said:
    @OriginalDan Please note 74s Obv across lib's arm, 73s Rev across the word Trade

    Hey that looks pretty close. Need to zoom in to confirm the "die details", which is more difficult with chops than coins because they weren't applied consistently like mint made coins are. When I stated that I don't think anyone has matched chopmarks between different coins, I think it hasn't been 100% confirmed yet mostly because nobody to my knowledge has tried hard enough.

    Keep in mind that I've thought I found a match maybe a dozen times, only to zoom in and realize they are slightly off. But this character isn't super common, so I think it has a chance. I'll pull up the full size images and do an analysis.

    I just sold the 74s but I believe the 73s is still in the family

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's the best I can do for now. If we can track down the original image for the 74-S, we can do better.

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    lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 7,835 ✭✭✭✭✭

    wow! Thanks for the interesting background. NO chop dies are extant?! That's really weird. Obviously they existed in the 1800's... Perhaps they fell victim to the cultural purges in the 1940's and beyond. I

    I was of the belief that the number of chops was just correlated to the number of different times that particular piece was used in commerce or traded from bank to bank.

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

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan said:

    Here's the best I can do for now. If we can track down the original image for the 74-S, we can do better.

    I’ll check my BlueCC repository, on it

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    ChopmarkedTradesChopmarkedTrades Posts: 499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A testament to just how much the appearance of a chop can change based on differences in the application. This 1796-So 4R has a distinctive cross-shaped chop in relief applied twice that was almost certainly from the same tool, but with the details altered substantially based on how it was applied.

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:
    A testament to just how much the appearance of a chop can change based on differences in the application. This 1796-So 4R has a distinctive cross-shaped chop in relief applied twice that was almost certainly from the same tool, but with the details altered substantially based on how it was applied.

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

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    TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    Trade $'s
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    1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,772 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BustDMs said:
    A couple of my chop marked trade dollars.

    What do you have?




    I do not have any now but great thread :)

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

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    WeissWeiss Posts: 9,935 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A smattering of 8 reales with chops. I really like the XFish 1784 on the left. Luster 'neath the crust.

    And here's an odd little 1903-B Trade Dollar with a single punch in the center of the shield. I think I owned her for a couple of years before I even realized it was there:

    We are like children who look at print and see a serpent in the last letter but one, and a sword in the last.
    --Severian the Lame
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    ChopmarkedTradesChopmarkedTrades Posts: 499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

    my money is on the former. the latter is too improbable, imo

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TradesWithChops said:

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

    my money is on the former. the latter is too improbable, imo

    But if you look closely, I don’t see how the same tool could have made both. The thickness of the cross bars is significantly different.

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    tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,147 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan said:

    @TradesWithChops said:

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

    my money is on the former. the latter is too improbable, imo

    But if you look closely, I don’t see how the same tool could have made both. The thickness of the cross bars is significantly different.

    Different depth and angles of impression. Shrug

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tradedollarnut said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    @TradesWithChops said:

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

    my money is on the former. the latter is too improbable, imo

    But if you look closely, I don’t see how the same tool could have made both. The thickness of the cross bars is significantly different.

    Different depth and angles of impression. Shrug

    Ok fine, I’ll do a close-up comparison when I get back to my computer. B)

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    stealerstealer Posts: 3,968 ✭✭✭✭

    A few more I forgot I had, this time on some Chinese minor silvers.

    Singular "Shi 4", plenty of translations but can be used for scholar, bachelor, soldier, etc.

    Singular chop, can't quite make it out but it looks like a circumscribed "Kan 4" to me, which means "to see" or "to look".

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is my 1874CC Trade Dollar W/chops.... Cheers, RickO

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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    Here is my 1874CC Trade Dollar W/chops.... Cheers, RickO

    That’s a good one ricko, cool

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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 27, 2021 11:32AM

    @tradedollarnut said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    @TradesWithChops said:

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

    my money is on the former. the latter is too improbable, imo

    But if you look closely, I don’t see how the same tool could have made both. The thickness of the cross bars is significantly different.

    Different depth and angles of impression. Shrug

    @OriginalDan @TradesWithChops Don’t forget the variable of force and resistance in a non-linear application. It was a dude being used as a machine for lots of coins. The first hammer of the day will not equal the last. Also the uneven bump of the arm could have made it slip ever so slightly and redirected the force latterly affecting depth

    Also worthy of consideration is that same chop/same tool doesn’t equal same day or same person or same state of tool

    Oops Reading is fundamental :s , you guys were talking about the cross chop, I could go either way in that one. Maybe they had same chop made differently in the casting (human variable) process because they had to make them in bulk. They couldn’t have lasted too long

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    BustDMsBustDMs Posts: 1,574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    Here is my 1874CC Trade Dollar W/chops.... Cheers, RickO

    Correct me if I’m wrong but do I see toning on this coin??????????

    Maybe there is hope after all........

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.



    A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
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    BarberianBarberian Posts: 3,068 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I missed on a 57-S PCGS EF40 but found this chopped VF35 for $1100 less. I like this coin much more than the EF40. The picture below doesn't do this coin justice. The eye appeal in-hand is terrific.

    3 rim nicks away from Good
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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Barberian said:
    I missed on a 57-S PCGS EF40 but found this chopped VF35 for $1100 less. I like this coin much more than the EF40. The picture below doesn't do this coin justice. The eye appeal in-hand is terrific.

    Neat coin, the chop mark looks like 仁 or "rén" which has a few different meanings.

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tradedollarnut said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    @TradesWithChops said:

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    To my eyes they do look like different chop tools were used, which I think is your point, but I’m thinking in this case it actually was two different tools. That would be a weird coincidence, or maybe the same guy had a couple versions of the same symbol?

    That's the thing: it looks like two different tools based off the details, but either the same tool was used on both with the differences resulting from variation in the actual application, or there were two near-identical relief chops in the shape of a cross applied to the same coin.

    my money is on the former. the latter is too improbable, imo

    But if you look closely, I don’t see how the same tool could have made both. The thickness of the cross bars is significantly different.

    Different depth and angles of impression. Shrug

    These are the chops we're talking about right?

    I'm convinced they're different.

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2, 2021 10:09AM

    @OriginalDan said:
    But if you look closely, I don’t see how the same tool could have made both. The thickness of the cross bars is significantly different.

    The one with the thicker lines looks like it was punched deeper. The angles look the same to me. I'd have to actually measure it, which ive not done to be fair.

    Could same punch used shallow versus deep could result in different sized lines depending on the punch's shape?

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭

    @Crypto said:

    @OriginalDan said:

    Here's the best I can do for now. If we can track down the original image for the 74-S, we can do better.

    I’ll check my BlueCC repository, on it

    I was talking about this one

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan said:
    These are the chops we're talking about right?

    I'm convinced they're different.

    This one is definitely a different chop. The angles are off significantly without having to measure. Perhaps the same outfit replacing a worn out chop with a new chop of the same design. It's all conjecture really

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    ChopmarkedTradesChopmarkedTrades Posts: 499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Don't let the flame die out!

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    mbogomanmbogoman Posts: 5,128 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BustDMs said:
    I purchased this interesting group from an old collection years ago. The collector made his own displays using glass. The collection had dozens of these types of holders for individual countries or themes. They were stored in three large wooden boxes, think of an old beer case of longnecks in wood with slots on the ends for the handles. HEAVY!







    Flip that 1875 Trade dollar over!!! We want to see if there is a mint mark!

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    LeeBoneLeeBone Posts: 4,317 ✭✭✭✭✭

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭

    @mbogoman said:

    @BustDMs said:
    I purchased this interesting group from an old collection years ago. The collector made his own displays using glass. The collection had dozens of these types of holders for individual countries or themes. They were stored in three large wooden boxes, think of an old beer case of longnecks in wood with slots on the ends for the handles. HEAVY!

    Flip that 1875 Trade dollar over!!! We want to see if there is a mint mark!

    100% agree. show us the reverse !!

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    DDRDDR Posts: 1,562 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan I had Trades that appeared to be the same chop by the same tool. Am i misunderstanding your point about

    "I was just having a conversation with some friends about a similar topic, someone had asked whether anyone had found the exact same chopmark on different coins (same character, same tool used). The answer for now, is "no", not that we know of."

    Dan: I believe that I have several coins with same or similar chop marks on them. I don't have them in front of me now, unfortunately.

    However... I recently had a collector show me two Trade dollars each with one single chop mark on the almost exact same spot on the reverse. Both chop marks appeared to be identical, however they were upside down compared to each other, so it was not exactly the same. Both coins were 1876-P.

    It is interesting to speculate on the stories behind that. Were they both on the same ship to China and both used at the same place for the same purchase???

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    ChopmarkedTradesChopmarkedTrades Posts: 499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DDR said:

    Dan: I believe that I have several coins with same or similar chop marks on them. I don't have them in front of me now, unfortunately.

    However... I recently had a collector show me two Trade dollars each with one single chop mark on the almost exact same spot on the reverse. Both chop marks appeared to be identical, however they were upside down compared to each other, so it was not exactly the same. Both coins were 1876-P.

    It is interesting to speculate on the stories behind that. Were they both on the same ship to China and both used at the same place for the same purchase???

    @DDR what did the mark look like? Several chopmarked 76-Ps that I've seen in all levels of detail have a shared mark, resembling a diamond with two mirrored 'L's. On the AU example below, it is present on the center of the eagle's breast, while it is shown at ~1:00 on the obverse of the lower-grade Type 2/2.


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    DDRDDR Posts: 1,562 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes, that's the chop mark I was referring to.

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    DDRDDR Posts: 1,562 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 8,678 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow! So much international history embodied in chopped silver. Thanks for the killer show and tell. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall

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    LazybonesLazybones Posts: 1,395 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Does this count?


    USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @DDR said:


    I like this coin!

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    TradesWithChopsTradesWithChops Posts: 640 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 3, 2021 9:14AM

    @BustDMs said:
    Correct me if I’m wrong but do I see toning on this coin??????????

    Maybe there is hope after all........

    So you like toning?

    Minor Variety Trade dollar's with chop marks set:
    More Than It's Chopped Up To Be

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    ChopmarkedTradesChopmarkedTrades Posts: 499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TradesWithChops said:

    I like this coin!

    I do to, neat variety.

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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 3, 2021 1:08PM

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @TradesWithChops said:

    I like this coin!

    I do to, neat variety.

    .#metoo

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    ChopmarkedTradesChopmarkedTrades Posts: 499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Crypto said:

    .#metoo

    me2/2

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    carabonnaircarabonnair Posts: 1,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like circulated early San Francisco coins. I bought this from Harry Smith at the recent ANA show.

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    BustDMsBustDMs Posts: 1,574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TradesWithChops said:

    @mbogoman said:

    @BustDMs said:
    I purchased this interesting group from an old collection years ago. The collector made his own displays using glass. The collection had dozens of these types of holders for individual countries or themes. They were stored in three large wooden boxes, think of an old beer case of longnecks in wood with slots on the ends for the handles. HEAVY!

    Flip that 1875 Trade dollar over!!! We want to see if there is a mint mark!

    100% agree. show us the reverse !!

    Just back from short vacation. Will look soon.

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.



    A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
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    CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ChopmarkedTrades said:

    @Crypto said:

    .#metoo

    me2/2

    This was legit funny to me, have snickered about it a few times now

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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,566 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Was looking for something else today and I ran across this counterfeit British Trade Dollar down in the dungeon. Low-grade silver probably pickled when made to give it a high-grade silver skin. Slightly cup-shaped from all the chops.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.

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