Counterfeit or real? 1912 gold quarter eagle

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by D-Train, Dec 31, 2017.

  1. D-Train

    D-Train proof coin enthusiast

    Hi guys,
    I just bought this raw 1912 gold quarter eagle off of eBay and while it was on the way to me I read that this is the 11th most commonly counterfeited US coin in history. After looking at pics of counterfeited examples of this coin and reading about what to look for on the NGC and PCGS websites I believe this coin, while not handled as gently as it could have been over the past 105 years, appears to be genuine. There are no tooling marks behind the indians neck or around the perimeter of the coin or around the lettering that I can detect (but I'm hardly an expert).
    I would appreciate your opinions about this coins authenticity and if you could also tell me what you believe it would grade as well I would be thankful. Do the dimples on the obverse change it's grade?
    Should I submit this to NGC or PCGS for grading/authentication?
    Thanks & Happy New Year!
    1912 quarter eagle obverse2a.jpg 1912quartereaglereverse1.jpg
     
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  3. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Good thing is... It has a reeded edge! Happy New Year!
     
  4. McBlzr

    McBlzr Sr Professional Collector

    I think it is genuine. Circulated during its life. Old cleaning at some time. XF

    If you paid in the $200 to $250 range, that would be about right.

    Here are some pics of my $2.50 set. I have never been able to get really good pics.


    100_3140.JPG 100_4787.JPG 100_7580.JPG
     
    NSP, Kirkuleez, charlietig and 2 others like this.
  5. D-Train

    D-Train proof coin enthusiast

    Nice set of coins McBlzr! I took the pics I posted, but I've got a $2000 camera, so it better be able to take great pics! They would be even better if I had more skill. I paid $266 for it.

    Thanks for your opinion. :cool:
     
  6. jwitten

    jwitten Well-Known Member

    It's genuine. Not really worth the cost of grading though, if you ask me. I think it straight grade AU.
     
  7. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Your coin looks genuine to me, but cleaned, as previously pointed out.
     
  8. derkerlegand

    derkerlegand Well-Known Member

    What would be the "tells" to look for a previous cleaning?
     
  9. jwitten

    jwitten Well-Known Member

    It doesn't look cleaned to me, at least not harshly. A few light hairlines, but those are common on gold.
     
    baseball21 likes this.
  10. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Looks genuine to me
     
  11. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Both sides exhibit an unnaturally "graininess" running in a NNW direction, but it appears more obvious in the reverse photo.
     
  12. derkerlegand

    derkerlegand Well-Known Member

    Aha! Now when I look at it, that's all I see! I wonder what that business is on the reverse between "GOD" and "WE"? And what caused the "dimple", as the OP referred to, on the "B" of "LIBERTY"?
     
  13. ksparrow

    ksparrow Coin Hoarder Supporter

    and the dimple on the lowermost feather on the obv. are red flags for me.
     
  14. D-Train

    D-Train proof coin enthusiast

    I'm also curious what caused the 2 dimples on the obverse. My question is: If it grades, say, AU-50 without the dimples, is it still an AU-50 WITH the dimples? Or do they detract from the grade?
    Thanks to everyone for your opinions. Between this and another coin forum, nobody has thought it was a counterfeit despite it being a VERY commonly counterfeited coin. :cool:
     
  15. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    Real. Cleaned and hairlined. Very obvious on the reverse
     
  16. Jon Brand

    Jon Brand Well-Known Member

    Looks original to me and not cleaned. Those hairlines all over often show in photos on straight grade indians. Id guess AU55. I think thats the grade I guessed on the CCF. Not sure about the bubble on the B though.
     
    jwitten likes this.
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