Bevelled Edge On 2012 American Silver Eagles?

I recently ordered some 2012 ASE's from http://www.providentmetals.com/ (this item: http://www.providentmetals.com/2012-1-oz-american-silver-eagle-bullion-coin.html )

I placed 2 separate orders, and the coins I received each time look slightly different (only on the edges...)

http://i.imgur.com/lUrG8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TZn0a.jpg

I am somewhat worried about the coin on the right in the pictures above, as it seems that the edge is bevelled as opposed to the square edges on the coin on the left.
There are some minor scuff marks and nicks visible on the coin on the right because it was dropped onto concrete :rollling:

So I am just wondering....is this something to worry about? Could the coins have come from different mints? Is someone shaving metal off the edges or am I getting ripped off?

I've contacted provident metals about this but I am still waiting on a reply from them. Some googling around didn't turn up anything concrete, but from some image search results it looks like some of them may actually have bevelled edges instead of being perfectly square?

I've been unable to use a high precision scale to get their exact weights as of yet, but from some rough testing with a ruler and fulcrum they both appear to be the same weight.

 

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:welcome: LobsterMan

I bought a couple of rolls of 2012 ASE from Provident in May also. Two seperate orders, also. I will have to look at them over the week-end

 

Thanks for the welcome

I am eagerly awaiting any further info anyone can provide on this matter

 

Welcome to CT! The ASE on the right is indeed suspect. Possible fake or possible mint production error? I would doubt someone would shave off silver. Try using a magnet on both. Also, place a tissue over each coin. If silver, the coin will appear bright white through the tissue. If not silver, it will appear grey. I am also curious about their weights. Please post results. TC

 

They both look white under tissue paper, and I did a magnet test like in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgSXg-WOEVY
They both appear to handle a magnet in the same way...will get weights asap, hopefully within the next day or 2

EDIT: Another picture...look at the difference in reflection of the light...again the suspect one is on the right http://i.imgur.com/dil1e.jpg

 

Sorry to bump...and not just edit, but I managed to weigh them on a digital scale.

The scale reported the coin on the left weighs approx 31.3g or 1.0-1.01 ozt, and the coin on the right was reported to weigh 31.2g or 1.0 ozt

So they definitely are close in weight...but not the same. I suppose I'll have to wait and see what provident metals says when they reply to me...

 

I don't think there is anything to worry about. I've checked ASE weights over the years and they vary by couple tenths gr but all were over not under 1oz. as to the edges they change dies constantly thru the year and striking pressure may vary. i think it's an interesting difference.

 

Can you give us a comparison pic of the Reverses, like the Obv. you gave us ?

 

http://i.imgur.com/E3YC2.jpg

Same as before, the one "in question" is on the right. You can see I already managed to ding the new one that I got from the previous picture

I've looked over the fine details pretty extensively and they appear to be identical as far as the struck features go (minus the small difference on the edges). The edges and the slight difference in reflective appearance were the only thing that was really concerning me, but after weighing them I feel better

 

I've read something about the differences in coin luster on another thread on cointalk. If I recall, the mint has had a few different lusters like the ones you're showing above. Here is an article on detecting fake ASE's. It seems like most of these things have already been discussed above.

http://coins.about.com/od/goldrarecoininvesting/f/fake_coin_fraud.htm

 

I'm thinking the edge issue was caused by the strike and the way the press was set up.

I have a guess. The one on the right looks to have a fingerprint on the obverse.
Maybe it had a dip before it came to you? I wonder what a dip would do to the satin finish these come with.

 

The coin on the right is just not as well struck up. The rims are actually the highest part of the coin and are the last things to "fill". As the coin is struck the metal expands outward contacking the collar in the center of the edge and then flowing up and down to fill the rims. If the rims don't fill you are left with a bevel from the rim down to the reeding. Increase the tonnage and/or slow the press down a little to give the metal more time to flow and the rims fill, bevel gone.

 

The fingerprints are just from me handling the coins, they wipe off easily with a cloth or something; I haven't been especially careful handling these 2.

To my eye at least, the "contrast" seems to be better on the coin on the right, the "height" of the details against the flat background of the coins seem to be roughly the same; I kind of like the way the one on the right looks actually since it's slightly shinier

Thanks for all the info everyone :thumb:

 

Hi LobsterMan,

I went through my 4 rolls of 2012 ASE's from Provident. I did not fine any with a bevelled edge. But I did find some with a shiney reflective look as compared to most of them that have a more satin finish look.

1st pic 3 on left have satin-like finish. The 6 on the right have the more shiny-reflective finish.




2nd pic - 20 from the same supposedly US Mint plastic tube roll





PS: I don't take the greatest pics!

 

First advice, always handle by the rims to prevent your oily and greasy fingers from leaving prints.
Second advice, don't wipe these with a cloth or anything else, you just damaged them by scratching them.

 

They are just bullion silver, so does it really matter? If it were a coin I would agree with your comments.

 

I'm sort of new to silver and coins so I wanted to play with them a bit and look at it up close. I took one from each of my orders out of its protective sleeve it was shipped in so I can bring it out with me and show to people and stuff. The rest of them have not been touched by me and are in plastic sleeves.

I understand that one should be careful when handling coins in general, but the 2 pictured I'm not really trying to keep pristine