Please take a look at this coin and let me know your thoughts. Rare 1926 $2 1/2 Gold USA Sesquicentennial I think the coin is counterfeit. Note the mushy central details and the pockmarked surfaces. I suspect the buyer will be disappointed (if he knows how to spot a fake).
There have been many counterfeits in this series. It is highly recommended that if one were to purchase one, that they purchase it in a third party holder. The pock marks on the e-bay coin make me suspicious. Here's an example of a '64 (PCGS) courtesy of Heritage Auctions......
These coins are known for being weekly struck. This coin however is very suspect to me as well. The central weakness combined with the funky surfaces sends up a red flag to me. I'd love to see a clearer picture of this one. This is a good coin for people to learn on.
Small gold is some of the most often seen coins that the professional grading services see counterfieted. And like you say most need to protect themselves and only buy them certified. I know I would not bid on this but gold fever means that some one probably will can only hope they are smart enough to stay near melt. Only grace is even the cast fakes are usually real gold. Another possiblity is that it was once jewerly and the central weakness is wear from repeated rubbing and cleanings as the images sure do not show any trace of the orginal surfaces left on that coin.
That is why I posted it. I tried to buy a $2-1/2 Sesqui a week and a half ago at a coin show but could not come to terms with the dealer. The coin I looked at had central weakness but did not have the pockmarks. The dealer bought the coin thinking it was genuine and would not take less than he paid for it. I did not care to pay for his mistake and walked away.
Recently, I saw an MS63 PCGS example that looked very similar to this one. As previously stated, they were often weakly struck. I am not entirely sure if this particular piece is authentic, but judging from dealing with these coins in the past, not much is out-of-the-ordinary. :/ ... Again, I may be wrong. -Brian
Right now it's up to $277 on fee-bay. The seller described it as a "Great Civil War Date"(?). I just bought one of these in an NCG slab, MS62; always wanted one. I've sworn off buying "raw" gold coins......
Certainly looks fake to me also. The damage just above the "E" in States almost looks like an air bubble break you see in casting.
Before the auction ended I asked the following question: The seller responded with the following answer: It would be hard (if not impossible) to prove the seller knew the coin was fake when he sold it. Buyer beware.
Isn't it amazing, they make a mistake, and want their money back. We make a mistake, and tough! I saw this once, with a better date (key) Barber quarter. dug up. I offered 1/2 of what he was asking, the coin had been scratched, and possibly dug up. He wanted what he paid. Two years, and it is still in his showcase.
The coins above are a good example of the good and the bad. The differences between the authentic and the ebay coin are numerous. they just look completely different.
