Found this coin in a junk shop for only £1.00 yesterday. Is it real. What I have seen online points to it not being a fake but I'm a UK based finder of tokens, coins and everything in between so it is not my area. If it is real what on earth would the value be. And how could it best be sold, online etc. it's 28mm across and looks in better condition that the photos show.
Sorry I see it now, let me look for a while . Looks to be real Ryder,6-n lets see if anyone is up to look at it. Great find tho
The coin is listed and illustrated in the Redbook. One problem, the piece in the Redbook has the second "8" of 1788 raised somewhat; yours are level. But that could easily be a die variety, of which dozens could exist. My own overall "impression" is that it's genuine, $300 to $800 depending on variety, and, pinning down the grade.
The best way to find out is send it to NGC or PCGS for authentification/grading/slabbing (all are done at once). If you join the American Numismatic Association, you get submission privileges to NGC. I know you're on the other side of the pond, but there are other benefits, such as a digital magazine with great information, as well. The title "American" shouldn't dissuade you. Heck, for the price, with only ONE submission to NGC the membership would have paid for itself (if it turns out to be genuine).
Find a Real Expert but I know till 1972 a copy was not marked as one. This was one offend copies were sold. That why you need an Expert.
If it looks to good to be true, it just might be, until real research turns up a certified specimen which is a perfect match. There were a few varieties struck.
The photos look good to me. Time to move on to other tests. The third side of the coin reveals much. What is the weight? The easiest way has already been stated. Submit it for authentication. Even though it looks real in the photos, I would reserve judgement. At this point, congratulations on an excellent and very valuable find!
This is not ancient or medieval. Even 300+ years ago the US Minted coins were struck on coin presses, one at a time, until steam presses automated the process. The Massachusetts Colonial era US Minted coins came in multiple varieties, but each type has exactly the same devices in exactly the same layout for each variety. The only errors might be rotated or misaligned dies, or later die state cuds or cracks.
There's no period/stop after MASSACHUSETTS on this coin, and all the other coins I've looked at have it. I'm not an expert on these, so maybe this isn't something to use for authentication. I'd seek opinions better versed in these. It'd be nice to see the other side if you have a picture.
Took a look at the Vlack die marriage chart for these. Looks like die pair 6-N. Here's the chart: And here's a high-grade one from the Partrick collection that Heritage sold in January that should be more helpful for authentication. http://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1...-n-w-6240-low-r3-ms64-brown-ngc/a/1216-5717.s I'm currently of the opinion that it's genuine and would grade XF, give or take some problems. A problem-free XF should be $700-800. I'm a little concerned about the roughness on the reverse. (Note that I'm still not an expert on these, just looked at some more materials since last I posted to this thread.)
I agree with the above. Perhaps XF and the roughness may be from a rough planchet. I would be willing to submit this to NGC for the owner or to recommend someone if they have a preference.
