Picked this one up early march and when I took pictures of the coin, it seemed very off. Mainly because the inner obverse details are mushy and the reverse inner details are not as mushy as I'd expect from an even strike. So my ultimate question is Did I buy a fake? Honestly it wouldn't be my first counterfeit I bought from this dealer.
If that dealer is known for selling counterfeits and you have your doubts as to the authenticity of this coin take it back. Gerry Fortin has an excellent web-book for Liberty Seated dimes here is a link to his 1853 with arrows page http://seateddimevarieties.com/date_mintmark/1853wavarpage.htm
I agree with the mushy middle obverse comment. Also, I do not like how on both the obverse and reverse, the details on the rim are strong on one end, and "mushy" on the other. It does not look like natural eroding of the metal.
Have you known or bought from this dealer for a long time? I take it the previous time he sold you a counterfeit he reimbursed you if you bought from him again.
Doesn't look good to me Caz. I have several counterfeit S/L quarters I bought from a dealer (knowing they were counterfeit) that look very similar to these. Bruce
In comparison to my book on seated dimes the date looks fine and the arrow touching liberty and the 3 of the date being lower show it to be the repunched date and arrows no 103 that being said liberty looks mushy ans the surfaces look pitted my thoughts is its a genuine but badly damaged coin or possibly a grease filled die is a tough call without seeing in hand a better way to tell how's the weight?
The broken denticle at 8 o clock and the pit or the hole at 11 on the obverse concern me tho parts look right parts wrong I have no idea why someone would try to fake such a common coin and get the date right tho I'd check the weight if it's correct around 1.24 grams then you likely have a genuine but damaged coin
Why do you continue to do business with a guy who is knowingly selling you fakes without disclosing that they are not genuine?
Whoops, forgot to clear up that I bought it as a contemporary counterfeit. Thank you guys for helping me determine this one once and for all.