Are there many counterfeit half dollars?
WildWestHalfDollars
Posts: 6,776 ✭✭✭✭✭
If so what dates should I watch out for and would be best to buy graded? I am talking 1794-1891.
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
0
Comments
I will be buying most of my coins PCGS graded but a few I imagine I will buy raw coins as well (although in much smaller numbers).
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
forget many. all it takes is one.
i believe the forum has turned up some cbh counterfeits
I figure I will buy the key dates from places like Heritage just feel safer that way. And graded by PCGS.
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
As compared to infamous coins known for many counterfeits (1916-D dime, 1914-D cent, etc.), the early half-dollars are much less heavily counterfeited. Ironically, contemporary counterfeits (which I collect) are frequently valued higher than authentic pieces. My impression is that Seated half-dollars see more fakes than the Bust types.
Official PCGS account of:
www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com
There are plenty
Things you find on eBay and such.
I only collect G-04 to F-12 so I would imagine less of these low type grades would be fakes?
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
How do you tell if it is a fake?
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
From my 7070 of fakes.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
You have to read a lot of books and do research on coins. Looking at many genuine examples and learning what they look like can also be helpful.
@WildWestHalfDollars -
Not one of the dates you were referencing but it's a counterfeit or (not genuine) half dollar.
Edit: Deleted. Wrong thread. Sorry.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Not everyone can. If I may make an observation, it seems like counterfeits are just an afterthought for you; you've really done nothing at all to prepare yourself to avoid counterfeits. If learning about counterfeits is not your thing (or you don't have the eye for it), it would be best to stick with buying from trusted sources.
forgot about the classic commems. there's plenty of those
Here is some information to get someone started.
First in the Resources thread which is pinned to the top of the US forum (also link below) in the OP (first post) go down to the Counterfeit labeled-section and check out some of those links.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1006619/resources-books-links-to-read-on-numismatic-series-errors-and-varieties/p1
Also forum member burfle23 has some articles in coin week (link below for list of articles and don't forget to 'load more' at the bottom). Then I scanned and found one on the 50c 1875 cc but there are many others on 50c (and other denominations).
https://coinweek.com/author/jack-d-young/?fbclid=IwAR3jUPj5xCfcsAtW0CvStAJ3fsLXa8k-Jfc89f5C-aZxyDmCXZi_Js3Q8ho
https://coinweek.com/counterfeit-1875-cc-half-dollars-and-facebook-sponsored-ads/
A little more on holders but missing much is this comment-link (make sure to go to the pcgs security page noted).
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13498805/#Comment_13498805
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hYCRaWPlTIE Sophie Lloyd, guitar shred cover of Panama (Van Halen)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dOV1VrDuUm4 Ted Nugent, Hibernation, Live 1976
RLJ 1958 - 2023
Whole album full of commem halves came in today, everything Stone M, Pilgrim, calif, hugenot, many were fakes, not all, had to really look close at each one, guy apprantly bought a lot on line
In this case the big clue was that the coin was not AU50 quality. Looking closer, the coin just didn't look legit. The cert number was good at the time and checked out. If I recall, I saw a few of these pop up with that cert number for a period. It has since been removed from the cert verification page. Fake coin in a fake slab.
One more to look out for. This person was going into business' selling to the unaware 😡
If you want cheap, modern made counterfeits then, yes, there are so many that you could never get them all off the market. If that is your fear, and if you have OCD, then stay away from US coins since they are all being counterfeited at a rate that is shockingly high.
If you are writing about contemporary counterfeits, then there are some series that are avidly collected and worth good money.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
When buying from such places as Heritage do their experts look coins over or just post them for sale?
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
I am OK with collecting US coins just worried about the more are expensive dates but as mentioned will buy those from places like Heritage (PCGS graded).
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
I guess when buying more expensive coins I can just post them here and ask opinions. If you guys do not mind that is? Will not be doing that often anyways maybe 1-2 times per year. Otherwise I am just buying the more common dates.
I prefer collecting coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12
there are counterfeit holders
on rare occasions a crackout will occur with reuse of the label into afake holder with a lower grade coin. the other will be regraded. nfc helps with that
If you stay with the main auction companies or well respected dealers, you should be fine.
Ebay can be a scary place. If you can verify a listed coin using the photo on the PCGS cert verification page, or a photo from Heritage archives, that is also an option. Just do your homework.
I had a lead counterfeit Barber years ago. Crude and heavy but it looked like it had circulated
Review the PCGS price guide. The high value coins are the ones most likely to be counterfeited.
If you understand what is coming, then you can duck. If not, then you get sucker-punched. - Martin Armstrong
everything is counterfeited, even common date cents sold raw
Fake holders, fake coins ... there are so many modern counterfeits of every denomination that it's near impossible to keep track of them all anymore.
Now, when it comes to extremely deceptive counterfeits, I would say they are much fewer and farer in between from what I have seen. So, knowledge of a series goes a long way.
Also like @TomB said, there are contemporary counterfeits, some of which are VERY collectable.
Due diligence is prudent. PCGS, NGC, CACG, ANACS helps, a lot. Pay attention to details. Buy from reputable firms or people. Learn everything you can about what you're buying.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Sadly yes. Many out there. Be careful if the deal looks too good.
Dollar
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
They exist in all grades.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
You are absolutely right. Wrong thread. Sorry
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I have a few seated liberty's around here somewhere in different denominations. I also have an Indian head penny and a shield nickel. I bought them at a flea market. The seller was honest about them being fakes so no harm done. They look pretty good. If they are raw weight is the best way to determine there authenticity.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
You start digging into gold dollars and there are SO many counterfeits. And so small, they’re really very good. I was fooled by an 1865. Lots of raw 1868 gold dollars are fake.
I have several counterfeit half dollars, mostly Seated. I see them quite often on ebay, mostly. Not sure how many are out there, but I would feel in the thousands. It's so odd that most of them are stupid low priced and most in the XF to Au or even better condition via photo. Then you will see China or Russia. End of story.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Looking at the slab, there’s no PCGS logo in the lower right corner.
I keep links to slab history references to double check when I purchase on eBay, and stick to sellers with a long history.