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Added mint marks

WegWeg Posts: 544
in U.S. Coin Forum
How in the world do counterfeiters cut or remove a mint mark from one coin and attach it to another? I'm pretty handy but to do something so delicate like that is mindboggling. The only way I can think of might be with a laser.
Remember, I'm pullen for ya; we're all in this together.---Red Green---

Comments

  • shottakershottaker Posts: 309
    Dentist/jewellers tools. To really see some mindboggling handywork google pocket watch movement service and take a look at some of the parts those guys work on. A lot of the parts they have to make by hand as they dont exist and many have to be perfectly balenced.
    There are also some outdated microsurgery reduction rigs that could be used for the purpose but thats just speculation. Many times a common date with the right mintmark will be sacrificed. I think the 1917-D merc mintmark is the same as the 16-d.
  • IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭
  • IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭
    Sorry, the computer posted my reply before I typed it in. I must have hit the wrong key.

    In my experience, the vast majority of added mintmarks are manufactured by the alteration expert, not removed from other coins.

    There is the famous story of one such operation that was raided by the authorities. They located "cookie sheets full of fake mint marks"
    in the person's kitchen. Since nearly every fake 1916-D dime I have ever seen has a wrong style added mintmark, I have to assume that
    there are very few cases where the mintmark is removed from one coin and attached to another.

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