I am looking at a 1922 saint gaudens my friend is wanting to get rid of. I have not seen it in person but he has sent me some pictures. It appears to be a double die possibly but I really want to make sure it is not a fake. He has no information about it as was a relatives who passed away. I am going to take a look at it tomorrow. I have scoured the internet tonight but not found any gaudens like this one. He has offered it up to me below spot prices Thanks for any replys.
Well that is most definitely rather dramatic doubling on the obverse. And there are some known counterfeits that have doubling, but none for this date in the books that I have. But that doesn't mean that none exist. So either it's a fake, or it's a previously undiscovered DDO. However, since the details on the coin appear to be quite mushy, and since there is so much dramatic doubling, I'm inclined to go with it being a counterfeit. But since it's a friend, perhaps you can work something out with him. Get him to agree to pay for submitting the coin, and then you'll both know for sure. And you'd be doing the hobby a favor for if it is a fake, then that example could be added to the known fakes database. Or, even though I think it unlikely, have a new variety discovered.
Tough call... Is the coins alignment off? I wonder if its a double strike??? Doug could very well be correct tho.
Thanks for the replies. I am going to try and take a real good look at the coin and check the specs as far as weight and size. I know the real good fakes will still be good in those areas tho. Unfortunately he is not that good of a friend and if I bought it, it would be mine for good or worse.
Below spot, that would be a tough call. If then if its counterfiet you've lost a good chunk of change. Yes that is a hard call, deffinately!
So don't buy it, but explain to him what I said. Get him to submit the coin and pay for it. If he wants to sell it, he should be willing to do that. If he's not, walk away.
I don't like the looks of it,just way to mushy details.Since you say he's not that good of a friend I wouldn't take that big of a chance. I agree get it certified even if you both split the cost of getting it certified you'll have peace of mind either way.
if I were buying gold type coins now.... it would have to be slabbed. I can not afford to buy a fake.
I agree with the above - offer to pay to have it certified, with the understanding that if it is ruled genuine then you will pay whatever price the two of you have already negotiated.
Pretty extreme, and the branches to the right are also doubled. Matt: Not likely, the reverse is not doubled. also, the entire design would be doubled, and not ****ed in that direction. agreed, just walk. Gee, check the rim for the MM: P for Peking.
I agree with Doug. After this length of time, its a pretty unlikely event its a new DD since its that dramatic. A much more likely scenario is a fake. When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras. Personally, this coin by itself would make me highly dubious of any other coins he wishes to sell as well.
DB, what ever happened to this coin ? And GD, where is the 'doubling' on the obverse that you are referencing ? I can't see it, though maybe it's because of the plastic cover.
