Classic Commemoratives (Silver) - Authenticity

Thanks to this thread, I, like Lon Chaney, picked up a used copy for just under $11. Thanks for the recommendation.

Steve

 

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But I did get a good one

 

I do like that design , but then I like so many early commemorative designs . My fave is the Spanish Trail and Isabella quarter .

 

Did you ever mail the fake (so called) off to Swiatek? He doesn't list the Maine Centennial as one of the issues faked in the series.

 

Good idea Ken .

 

No, I contacted him and he was aware of the Maine Centennial, so there was no need to send it to him.
PS Great to see all the supporters on this page.

 

I'd be willing to bet there are fakes of every classic commem. It's more of a question of whether the average collector will ever run across one, and you're far more likely to see a fake of a high dollar coin than a run of the mill $50 or $100 coin. @dwhiz just got a little unlucky.

 

I've seen a fake Vermont, Pilgrim and many more. There's actually a ton of counterfeits out there now especially on Ebay. Some of them are very easily distinguished though if you make any effort. That and they all seem to have the same strange look from fake circulating or weathering them.

But if you want to see how bad it's gotten go search quickly on Alibaba and you'll find fakes of almost every single classic commemorative for sale.

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale...16073106&SearchText=commemorative+half+dollar

 

Sadly, I hit "like" on this post, because it helps alert me and others interested in genuine coinage. Thanks, Blisskr. Good lord. Talk about pollution of a wonderful hobby by jerks. There is always some controversy regarding fantasy pieces, but this crap from China is just downright despicable.

Steve

 

Yeah it is despicable.

 

I see they have my Maine for $1.40 ea.

 

Good Lord! They are devils. If only there was a way to shut those schmucks down.

 

Alright, I got my dansco 7095 albums in the mail today. I put the 4 loose ones I had into it.... 140 to go.
Crummy cell phone pics below.
I think I'll start a new thread when I get the next addition, post pics from now on before they go in.

 

Also, the order seems a little random... starts alphabetically, then takes some strange turns. You can see where the Columbian halves are.
I was hoping for Isabella quarter, Lafayette dollar, then chronological. But I'm still pumped to work on this.

 

Best of luck mon ami..........

 

Thank you sir.

 

I certainly cannot disagree, but it is only right to remember that the problem doesn't rest solely upon Chinese shoulders. Aside from the fact people need to educate themselves before buying, our fellow Americans are at least equally if not more responsible for getting such junk into the hands of unwitting collectors. The Chinese produce due to the demand, and if there was no demand.... well, you get the idea.

 

It's pretty challenging to do the full 140-coin set. I'm only collecting them by type, mostly because I don't want 18 Booker T. Washingtons and 12 Washington Carvers. I'd rather spend the same money on one very nice specimen.

 

I get that and thought about the 50 coin set.
But I figured it'd be a fun looong project. And eventually it will be the (actually) complete set.

 

Was going to start a new thread but decided not to. Newest addition, AU Monroe. I know it's high mintage and unpopular but I really like the reverse. Got an ok price on it I think. Looks better in hand, decent luster. Bad pics in the dansco with poor lighting.