I'm disappointed in both the seller and eBay for not removing this coin or at least labeling it as a fake after two contacts each. It is reportedly dug from the ground around Delaware Bay, but I'm suspicious that is a cover story. This is the coin: This is the Chinese manufacturer's photo: The manufacturer has appeared to change the reverse die to another from a later era, but the obverse is clear. Thanks for letting me vent.
I could not say if it is a fake or not but with that much corrosion, there's no reason not to believe it was a dug coin. @paddyman98 is digging up all sorts of treasures all the time. Although, I don't think anything this old yet.
Not yet.. I'm working on finding one. I don't know much about these type of earlier US coins but I just have a question. It would take the seller an awful long time to buy a Chinese Fake and then make it look the way it does. It looks fine as a original coin with Environmental damage to me.. This is my honest opinion. Who is the seller? Do they have any negative feedback? Are there any other coins that are questionable on their listings?
Wouldn't it be amazing to look back in time and see if this fell out of some soldiers pocket while encamped on the banks of the Delaware.
Think maybe he thinks no such date exists or something? The corroded one looks like the Reverse of 1797 variety, while the Chinese fake matches NO 1796 known reverse.
@Marshall Could you provide us with a link to this coin? Maybe we can figure out if the seller is legit by some of online info. (Maybe)
Here's the link to the "1796": https://www.ebay.com/itm/179-6-Draped-Bust-Large-Cent-Reverse-of-97-/263504626814?roken=cUgayN Here's the link to a recent fake the same seller sold: https://www.ebay.com/itm/17-Liberty...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 See a pattern?
What I do see is a metal detector fan who sells what he finds. His material is not my bag, but to each his own. The LEAST plausible thing going on here is he’s buying Chinese fakes and accelerating the corrosion and wear on them.
That’s pretty much a head scratcher to me too why those two pics are together. About the only thing I know about metal detecting is if you put in the effort on the east coast you’ll find some stuff
Not only that, but the seller seems to have found these at about the right depth near a building foundation in the Delaware Valley. It all sounds about right to me. This is exactly where one would expect to find 1790’s federal issue pieces. Again, stuff this corroded is not my bag o’ tricks, but there are no particular “red flags” here. If it’s near or south of Philly, the brackish water would enhance the corrosion. The normal salt line varies quite a bit, but averages around Philly airport on the river. The John Heinz wildlife area, literal walking distance from the airport, is a fresh/salt water estuary area.
I don't like feeling like I'm being "recruited" by an OP with a grudge against somebody, but the vibe I'm getting is exactly that. The OP has not made me suspicious of his seller; he has made me suspicious of the OP. That's the way I see it.
I can, and it is a fake. For one thing, no 1796 draped bust cent has the date positioned that far right. For another although it's difficult to tell this is a type II bust that was not used until 1798.
I've already pointed out why the 1796 is a fake. On the second auction that Jack Young points out the half cent has an obverse head style of a 1795 to 97 bust but the reverse wreath is a style used only in 1794. It's an impossible coin.
Thanks for letting us know. I’m not a copper expert and with that much corrosion it’s hard for me to tell