BEWARE the Dastardly Counterfeit 1958 Wheat Cent!

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by TypeCoin971793, Jan 11, 2019.

  1. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    No joke. I bought this from Aliexpress as an example that no coin isn’t worth faking. It is die-struck and weighs 3.2g.

    Hair details are mushy, the lettering is ill-defined, and the reverse rim is funky.

    C4801B01-5EC1-481E-977D-7D4C09707F91.jpeg 8E8DBB3B-F191-4E21-B10E-A5E7143C41F0.jpeg
     
    hotwheelsearl, NOS, Bayern and 3 others like this.
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  3. 1916D10C

    1916D10C Key Date Mercs are Life! 1916-D/1921-D/1921

    Now that's pretty scary. I've gotten advertisements for all sorts of fake coins through that Chinese fraud marketplace. Now aren't you glad we have Third Party Authentication?

    Thanks for sharing Typecoin.
     
  4. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    I wonder how many of those are in my wheat cent hoard
     
    1916D10C likes this.
  5. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    But why? How many can one sell to at least make a decent profit.
     
    JCro57, YoloBagels and 1916D10C like this.
  6. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

    Why did you buy it?
    It just rewards them. Wouldn't it be better if everyone boycotted them, instead of giving them business?
     
  7. micbraun

    micbraun coindiccted

    If Lincoln cents were my area of interest, I’d also have bought one to compare it to a genuine example. Usually I don’t ask this question, but how much have you paid?
     
    BigTee44, Seattlite86 and 1916D10C like this.
  8. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Interesting coin to choose to counterfeit.
     
    Ariette and 1916D10C like this.
  9. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I bought it as a warning for collectors to always keep their guard up. Nothing isn’t worth faking.

    I also buy fakes to educate both myself and others, which I find much more important than being the drop in the bucket that boycotts them. Judging from what is found on eBay/flea markets/etc. far more people buy the fakes for nefarious purposes, and they have inundated the market. That means the fakers will be supported whether or not I buy them, and many people are being burned every day. For that reason, I believe that more harm would be done if someone did not buy a reference collection that can be used to help others learn how to spot Chinese fakes.

    Around a dollar.
     
    NOS, JCro57, Paul M. and 2 others like this.
  10. Kasia

    Kasia Got my learning hat on

    Obviously they have found a way to make a penny worth a dollar, but it is so sad to know that common sense thought that only valuable coins (in some manner, not really just like this) are 'worth' being faked does not even apply. Good info to realize.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
    PlanoSteve and Seattlite86 like this.
  11. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    And it even has that diagnostic die chip on the left wheat stalk.
     
  12. Ana Silverbell

    Ana Silverbell Well-Known Member

    These cheaper coins are worth counterfeiting because of the United Nations, Universal Postal Union (UPU). Under the UPU, postal rates are set so that businesses in countries like China can ship to anywhere in the U.S., for almost nothing (cheaper than you can send a postcard cross-town). Without this, you could not buy that 1958 wheat cent for $1.

    I understand the U.S., is pulling out of the UPU a year from now and if this does happen, it will be interesting to see if cheap, fake coins from China dry up.
     
    LA_Geezer, KSorbo and Kasia like this.
  13. furham

    furham Good Ole Boy

    I could easily see a novice collector purchasing this coin at a flea market or pawn shop. 1845 fke-reverse.jpg 1845fake-obverse.jpg
     
    Paul M. likes this.
  14. Ana Silverbell

    Ana Silverbell Well-Known Member

    That is an understatement. I think seasoned collectors who are not expert on early copper could be fooled as well, especially if buying online where they cannot hold and inspect the coin in person.
     
    Paul M., Bayern, -jeffB and 3 others like this.
  15. Jersey magic man

    Jersey magic man Supporter! Supporter

    The opened photo would have fooled me. It looks just like a weak strike with misaligned dies on the reverse.
     
  16. BlackberryPie

    BlackberryPie I like pie

    I love Abe's grin. He's thinking, "ripped off another sucker."
     
    hotwheelsearl and Paul M. like this.
  17. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    A 1958? UNREAL!
     
    Kentucky likes this.
  18. Southernman189

    Southernman189 Well-Known Member

    no doubt I would have been fooled if I saw this at a Flea mkt for sale. Thanks for showing it. I'll be more alert on this one.
     
  19. juris klavins

    juris klavins Well-Known Member

    And the rouge on his cheek - tres chic :kiss: - or maybe he's just blushing from embarrassment...
     
  20. 1916D10C

    1916D10C Key Date Mercs are Life! 1916-D/1921-D/1921

    :hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:

    I read that out loud and just about DIED!!!! :smuggrin::smuggrin:
     
  21. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

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