Hello there, new member here. I recently acquired this coin. I see this forum has some of the the foremost experts in the "coin world". Opinions/questions/comments are appreciated.
First, welcome to the neighborhood! I'm no expert, but the 3 of the date looks like it has been altered. If you have access to a good microscope, you might give it a closer examination. Chris
It needs to go to PCGS or NGC. But I don't think the shell casing reference is correct. They came in 1944-1946. And I don't think they were bronze. I think they were brass.
I was thinking that maybe the entire 3 was glued in place, and the person didn't do a very good job on the bottom. Like @kanga said, this coin needs to be examined by NGC or PCGS to authenticate it. Chris
The coin is Non-magnetic.....the weight matches those of one documented as "experimental" produced in late 1943. According to Roger Burdettes' research. Link posted above.
You haven't answered the question you were asked earlier. Have you tried a magnet? Did it stick to the magnet? *edit.. I was typing these questions when you responded at the same time
I have been looking at the coin for weeks, a few coin dealers in town have looked at it also, stateing they are not qualified to say real it is genuine or fake. I have been thouroughly examining the closeups for awhile, and about 100 steel 43's, I do not believe the 3 is fake at all.
Can I just point out that those surfaces in some of your close-ups look cast. Look like a cast chinese fake to me.
I included those pics so you can see the different colors of that era and conditions of worn and near mint coins.
I have researched and found how everyone in the world will be a skeptic of this coin. I have personally tried to dissprove this coin myself by any means possible, as much as try too it gets more real.
Nor is there any reason to post the same damn photos again and again. It's wasteful and is of absolutely no benefit to the viewer. That said, between the surfaces and detail alone I'd set my expectations very low on this one....