FAKE BUST HALVES
GOLDSAINT
Posts: 2,148 ✭
Here is an interesting article I found on the Net. I wonder how many type collectors out there may be buying fakes? As most of us know most Bust halves for sale are not professionally graded. How many dealers really have the time to research all the coins that come in during this hot market. I do not see lots of “counterfeits” being offer as such for sale, and the dates listed below are the cheaper dates that many type collectors buy for their sets.
“In the early 1800’s, the United States Mint had a serious problem producing enough coins to met the demand. Foreign money was more recognizable than our own U.S. coins. British tokens and pennies, Spanish mill dollars and Mexican reales (many were counterfeits) were used in everyday transactions.
Lets look at this problem for the collectors today. Al C. Overton list 23 die marriages ( varieties) for the genuine 1832 fifty cent piece. This is made up of 15 obverse dies and 16 reverse dies. While on the counterfeit 1832 fifty cent pieces, there are 14 different varieties known today. That is right, over 14 different counterfeit coin varieties. No one knows how many pieces were made, but it does not make sense that a counterfeiter would go to all this trouble and make just one coin.
Some years with high numbers of different counterfeit coins: 1825 & 1826 - 7 different, 1828 - 10 different , 1829 - 9 different, 1830 - 13 different, 1831 - 11 different, 1832 - 14 different, 1833 - 23 different, 1834 - 12 different, 1835 & 1836 - 9 different, 1838 - 12 different varieties. And you think all your Bust half dollars are genuine?
Many counterfeit half dollars were not even made of silver. Many where made of “German Silver”, which contained no silver. These coins were made with a alloy made of 55% copper, 30% zinc and 15% nickel. The weight and color is about the same as circulated coins struck on silver. But almost all are underweight.”
Keith R. Davisnon
Frank M. Zapushek
“In the early 1800’s, the United States Mint had a serious problem producing enough coins to met the demand. Foreign money was more recognizable than our own U.S. coins. British tokens and pennies, Spanish mill dollars and Mexican reales (many were counterfeits) were used in everyday transactions.
Lets look at this problem for the collectors today. Al C. Overton list 23 die marriages ( varieties) for the genuine 1832 fifty cent piece. This is made up of 15 obverse dies and 16 reverse dies. While on the counterfeit 1832 fifty cent pieces, there are 14 different varieties known today. That is right, over 14 different counterfeit coin varieties. No one knows how many pieces were made, but it does not make sense that a counterfeiter would go to all this trouble and make just one coin.
Some years with high numbers of different counterfeit coins: 1825 & 1826 - 7 different, 1828 - 10 different , 1829 - 9 different, 1830 - 13 different, 1831 - 11 different, 1832 - 14 different, 1833 - 23 different, 1834 - 12 different, 1835 & 1836 - 9 different, 1838 - 12 different varieties. And you think all your Bust half dollars are genuine?
Many counterfeit half dollars were not even made of silver. Many where made of “German Silver”, which contained no silver. These coins were made with a alloy made of 55% copper, 30% zinc and 15% nickel. The weight and color is about the same as circulated coins struck on silver. But almost all are underweight.”
Keith R. Davisnon
Frank M. Zapushek
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Comments
K S
Yes I am sure you are right, but type collectors are the people buying most of these later dates. They do not have the knowledge that most Bust collectors do, and the slot in their book does NOT say put conterfeit Bust halve here!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
If it makes you feel better I will make a standing offer to buy all contemporary counterfeit bust halfs at ask + 10% for the grade. I'll do the same for Seated halfs. That should cover the "downside risk" of any colletors unfortunate enuf to get "stuck" (hey JK, ain't I just a prince?).
BTW, I wouldn't bet on plastic protecting you. Saw a c'feit CBH or 2 in slabs. Also GS, watch out for those Saints, 10 Libs too. A grading company (name deleted to protect the guilty) slabbed a few Omegas. Tried to buy one, but it was more than a raw Omega! Cool coin.
K S
<< <i>fake bust halves are usually worth MORE than real 1's of corresponding grade. & most everyone who collect bust halves w/ any degree of seriousness can spot a phony w/ high coinsistency. we don't need a plastic svc. for that, thank you.
K S >>
Agreed. If anyone does end up with a fake, they could probably sell it for a profit. I believe an entire reference book was written about just the counterfeits, can't recall the author or title however, sorry.
<< <i>I believe an entire reference book was written about just the counterfeits, can't recall the author or title however, sorry >>
curiously, they guy who wrote the book is Keith R. Davignon - who was quoted in the initial post of this thread
K S
<< <i>fake bust halves are usually worth MORE than real 1's of corresponding grade. & most everyone who collect bust halves w/ any degree of seriousness can spot a phony w/ high coinsistency. we don't need a plastic svc. for that, thank you. >>
I see dorkkarl has fallen victim to the same typo that plagues me. Every time I try to type a word that begins with c-o-n-, I type c-o-i-n- instead, as in "coinsistency", "coinstruction", "cointradiction", etc. I guess it's the mark of a true numismatist!
Typo or not, he's right- I am not a Bust half specialist, and the few contemporary counterfeits I have seen were very easy to detect. I would venture a guess that more than a few of them were caught in their own day, which might be why you don't see very many today. Maybe there were some better-than-average fakers working back then, though- I guess every age has its grifters.
I once saw some atrocious contemporary counterfeit Barber halves and quarters. Once in a while a metal detectorist will find a contemporary fake of an early coin, and that usually causes a stir.
PS- Placid- that wasn't a Bust half you posted. It was a full bust.
<< <i>I see dorkkarl has fallen victim to the same typo that plagues me. Every time I try to type a word that begins with c-o-n-, I type c-o-i-n- instead, as in "coinsistency", "coinstruction", "cointradiction", etc. I guess it's the mark of a true numismatistp >>
bwuahahah! great catch, lordmarcoinvan.
K S