1788 Massachusetts Common Wealth Coin

This coin was given to me by my father a few years ago. I have no clue if it's real or fake. Is it worth sending it into PCGS?

Thanks to all who reply!

 

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I don't know. I have one but mine is a contemporary circulating electrotype counterfit. Not sure what authentic ones look like but yours isn't an electrotype like mine if counterfit

 

Think I'll tag @Colonialjohn. I'm sure he would like to see yours

 

@Cascade thanks for the info. Are there any good resources for determining fake/real colonial coins other than sending it away to PCGS/NGC?

 

These really aren't my thing. Wait for colonial john to respond. He seems to check in every few weeks. Maybe @SuperDave can point you in the right direction until john chimes in if he's around

 

@SuperDave (always wanted to tag myself, maybe it'll cause a singularity ) doesn't even know which way Colonials roll when you drop one.

 

So did you get stuck in a loop?

 

Looks good to me. Massachusetts Colonial Copper alloy contemporary circulating counterfeits (i.e., of the period) are very rare for this colony. Electrotypes and later lead alloy types (i.e., circa 19thC) being more common but still having a value in the $50'ish range. Send it in or just put it on EBAY if your looking to sell. Post a picture in Colonial Coins Collectors Club website for an attribution. Mike Packard is the leading authority. Its real however but now lets see if its a rare variety.

Send photos here -

http://www.colonialcoins.org/

John Lorenzo
New Jersey

 

Nah, the forum didn't even notify me that I was talking to myself.

 

You just got your answer. Now follow Johns advise

 

Thanks @Colonialjohn . I decided to pull the trigger and sent it in to be graded. If you're interested I'll let you know how it came back in a few weeks.

 

Its real - post the grade/coin.

 

Nice looking Mass copper, VF? I think. please post the grade when it's back.

 

I'm pulling for you. Nothing's certain - one set of small images online can never be an authoritative authentication reference. Heck, we don't even know what it weighs. ColonialJohn's opinion carries the weight of a freight train, but one set of images does not an authentication make.

 

SuperDave - Agree ... LOL ... but since it did not look like an electro or a cast IMO he has a better shot then 50/50.

JPL

 

good luck

 

For those that are curious it is real. It came back VF-Details edge damage.

 

Ok well that's great news! I didn't doubt @Colonialjohn for a Chinese second lol. Now you should follow hid advice and post it over at colonialcoins.org to see if you have a rare variety that will add more $ to it

Congrats!

 

Oh and just for comparison here is my period contemporary electrotype of your coin...

 

Good news ...