do people actualy collect fakes

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by enochian, Sep 12, 2012.

  1. enochian

    enochian silver eater

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  3. Atomic Morgan

    Atomic Morgan Member

    I dont collect them, but if it looks cool and someone gives it to me for free I will keep it.
     
  4. Eps

    Eps Coin hoarder/ lover

    If it is an expensive coin, they may buy a replica to keep till they get the real thing, technically they're not fakes
     
  5. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Yes, people do collect fakes. There are some coins out there...where the "fake" is more valuable than the real thing. Take the 1944 Henning counterfeit nickel. Far more valuable than a real 1944-P.
     
  6. Ripley

    Ripley Senior Member

  7. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    I will assume that you mean in the same condition. IIRC, the Henning nickels were all in circulated condition and they are certainly more valuable than a genuine circulated 44-P. But I don't think they are more valuable than a registry quality 44-P Jefferson.

    Speaking of fakes, I bet that a soviet dime would be worth some money!
     
  8. Numismat

    Numismat World coin enthusiast

    Soviet dime?? Do tell. =)
     
  9. easj3699

    easj3699 Well-Known Member

    i collect them so i can use them to help tell the real thing apart
     
  10. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Yes, I meant in similar condition. I know that registry quality Jefferson war nickels do sell for a nice price...but circulated examples are much more affordable than a Henning Nickel.

    I personally want to assemble a collection of Henning Nickels but I haven't tracked any down yet.
     
  11. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    The story of the "Soviet Dimes" can be found in David Lange's book, The Complete Guide to Mercury Dimes > Ch 4 > Counterfeit & Altered Coins. The following is my favorite passage on the subject:

    This last remark lies at the heart of what makes these counterfeit dimes so interesting and collectable. The mystery which began for American coin collectors during the late 1940s actually originated in the Stalinist Russia of the 1930s. Although rumors of a Soviet connection had passed in some circles, the collecting fraternity was not apprised of this fact until 1957.

    At that time New Netherlands Coin Company in New York City was one of the prestige firms of the hobby, and its house organ Numisma was eagerly awaited by advanced collectors seeking knowledge of United States coins. John J Ford, Jr. was the editor of Numisma, and it was he who penned the following account. His wartime service in the army saw him posted to the American headquarters for the European Theater of Operations, a position in which he would have been privy to the gossip concerning Russian/American relations. His remarks reveal much of the curious history behind the dimes dated 1923-D and 1930-D:

    To the best of our knowledge, these are counterfeits made of good silver and struck from excellent false dies — evidencing better technical facilities than those available to American crime rings. They were made, along with many wornappearing (dateless) Liberty Standing quarters, prior to and during World War II — and probably to the present day — in the Soviet Union. Evidence of this practice turned up during the war, but nothing was done because of the probability of antagonizing our “gallant Soviet ally!” The Soviet technical experts evidentially perfected some process of transferring genuine designs from coins to plaster and from plaster to steel dies, the latter presumably by some machine similar to the Contamin portrait-lathe used in Philadelphia and Tower Hill (English) mints for over a century. They also have good silver, heavy presses and collars — equipment available to no American counterfeiter. The purpose has nothing to do with numismatics. So far as we know these coins were intended (like those made by the Chinese and Italian imitators of American gold coins) to pass as a circulating medium. Silver, or gold, in the form of coins seemingly backed by a stable government, can be spent at a far better rate (i.e. has a higher purchasing power) than its bullion price as ingots. The Soviet imitations have evidently succeeded, as to date all specimens seen are considerably worn. The differences between them and the genuine are microscopic. It is highly likely that other dates have been manufactured and passed unnoticed. Fortunately for us, the quantities passed in this country have apparently been too small to disturb the economy.7
     
  12. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    Somebody offered to sell me one last year. I didn't buy it and I can't remember why. I think I was overcome by my disdain for circulated Jefferson Nickels, including the fakes.
     
  13. SPP Ottawa

    SPP Ottawa Numismatist

    Collecting, or even possession of, a counterfeit or fake Canadian coin is illegal up here north of the border. The recent crackdown by the RCMP on counterfeit Canadian coins on all eBay sites has been a very good thing for collectors of Canadian coins.

    http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/07/16/10151296-sun.html
     
  14. medoraman

    medoraman Well-Known Member

    "Fakes" is a word with many meanings in this hobby.

    If you are talking about modern reproductions just to fill an expensive hole, yes there is some demand for those.

    However, if talking about "fakes" or counterfeits made the same time as the originals, then these are extremely collectible. In ancients they are labeled fourree, (plated fake made to fool the person accepting it that it was solid silver or gold), a barbarous imitation, (not made to fool anyone, just made far away from a mint for local use), and other terms as well. Many times these are more expensive than the originals. Also, historic reproductions like renaissance medals are extremely collectible today.

    So, when the fake is made is all of the difference. If they were made when the original was made, or is a famous reproduction, then they are very collectible. Its only modern fakes made to try to fool collectors that hobbyists disdain.

    Chris
     
  15. enochian

    enochian silver eater

    modern all the way back there not illigle they say copy i guess if one was made of silver like the orginal wouldnt be to bad
     
  16. Tom B

    Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

    Modern counterfeits are quite dangerous to the hobby-industry, but they will continue to flood into the market by purchases made by those who do not know better and those who do not care if they have a counterfeit to fill a difficult spot in a set. Contemporary counterfeits of classic US coinage are quite collectible and the Bogus Busties (counterfeit half dollars from the 1794-1839 era) have a vibrant collecting community. There is a wonderful book written by Keith Davignon that goes into quite a bit of detail on Bogus Busties; they are a great niche that most know nothing about.
     
  17. PennyGuy

    PennyGuy US and CDN Copper

    Yes, some people do collect counterfeit coins. I have 3 sets of counterfeit US two cent pieces. They are used as the basis of an on-line article on two cent counterfeits and in talks I give at coin club meetings. Hopefully I have been able to spread some knowledge on what to look for to prevent someone being cheated.
     
  18. scottishmoney

    scottishmoney Buh bye

    They are a closely guarded goody, kind of hard to get the paws on. I know several people that have them that won't let them even for a decent price. I prize mine more than the rare 1950-D etc because of the story behind it. Henning sure didn't make any money on making the coins, it was believed contemporarily given all the equipment etc he needed that he actually probably lost a bit of money after buying metal, rolling, creating dies, stamping etc.

    [​IMG]

    Part of my "blackbook" collection and one I feel confident sharing because they are established enough that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I like the "un-politically correct" types of collectables.
     
  19. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    For whatever reason...I just haven't been able to track any down. I haven't made it a huge priority...but I haven't found any yet. Although I agree that they are ugly, I think the history is really interesting.

    Also, I found that story about the Soviet Dimes very interesting...I had never heard that before.
     
  20. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Any advice on how to track one down...the 1944 is my primary interest but I would like to find the other dates too.
     
  21. scottishmoney

    scottishmoney Buh bye

    Patience, persistence, knowing the right people. Occasionally you see them on eBay. I got mine from a known source, not eBay. But I collect stuff that is a bit off the radar.
     
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