Hello all, I purchased this nice half dollar in a lot recently from an eBay auction. All other coins were real and no issues, this coin meets all requirements from weight, size, also the ring test and feels just like my other barber half’s. The only issue I’m having is that crease/line across the neck. I checked under the loupe and it doesn’t seem to be a deep scratch just a small indent or crease but barely visible. Possibly from wearing? Like I said it passed all the basic tests I can do without scrapping the metal and testing it. I really do think it’s real because the rest of the lot was all authentic. I just don’t want to post it online and eBay to pull it for being counterfeit and getting my online store banned for a few days or my reputation.. this has happened to me when I first started out with some counterfeit Morgan’s I had purchased, I have learned a lot since then but I know you guys have a lot more knowledge then I do and appreciate all of it, thank you in advance!
There's no ring test. It looks right. And if it weighs right, should be OK. Wait for an expert. The crease across the neck could be a scratch. I also think this coin may have been cleaned in order to try to get a higher grade, where these coins are valuable. If it has been cleaned and it is a scratch, it could turn a $50-$100 coin into a $20 coin.
Is there really not? How come silver coins have a significantly different sound to them compared to other metals a very distinct and why do professionals recommend this? I’m not trying to sound rude at all I just have never heard this honestly! Yea it’s not Something I’m looking to make a big buck off jus adding it to the auction list for who me ever may want it with bidding starting at 1$.
People say they can hear a difference. You really need perfect pitch, the different substances you bounce it off of will give different tones, and damage the coin. There is no ring test because it is not a scientifically approved method for guaranteeing silver.
Well the more you know! Is there any other tests then to replace? I currently weigh and check the dimensions of the coins I don’t like the idea of scratching off some of the coins to test it on chemicals really.
The ring test isn't that bad, but it isn't that good either. You can lay a single ply of tissue paper over the coin, and silver coins will show through better than iron or nickel. Of course test to see if it is attracted to a magnet. It may be easier for other members to see if you post full size photos.
One may not want to do it on exceptionally high grade or rare coins but the ring test has validity and can be used in conjunction with other diagnostics. Try it on a definitively 90% silver half dollar and one made from clad and you will 100% hear a difference in sound. A wood surface works well.
That’s a good one I haven’t heard yet I’ll start giving that a try! I wasn’t sure you could make the photo as that large I’ll start doing that on any next posts, thank you!
If you know a coin dealer or jeweler, maybe they have an XRF machine where they can test the composition for you.
I do know someone but they’re about 45 minutes away. I’ve looked into them for myself but don’t want to drop a few hundred for just a basic level one :/
I was going to say I could have swore the ring from all my silver coins were so different especially from the fake Morgan’s I received they had more of a thud that didn’t ring
I think you're thinking of the cheaper electromagnetic testers (glorified metal detectors). I haven't seen an XRF unit for under five figures; the most basic units start in the mid-teens. I've been known to drop a mortgage payment on geeky scientific gear, but I can't bring myself to drop a cheap car on one of these. Although heaven knows I want one.
For this coin, I'm nervous about the denticles, which seem to disappear toward the top of the coin. But they look the same on the reverse, which makes me think it may just be the lighting. If it's legit, the die was really tired when it was struck -- those flow lines around the rim are pretty intense. I don't see the other obvious tells I look for on counterfeits, but I'm no expert, and could be missing something. This is one that I really wish I could see in-hand.
The entire obverse between stars and denticles is showing significant die flow lines. That, coupled with weak cap, wreath, hair and stars would indicate a very tired die. The marks across the neck indicate an incompetent guillotine operator. As to authenticity, nothing rings the alarm bells to me.
I don't think it's a fake, but I wonder if the mark across the neck is a scratch, that was tooled in the middle to smooth it out, and the coin then AT'd. The color just doesn't look right to me.
Color looks off. It’s from really tiered dies as was said before. The flow lines and the star’s pointing to the denticles you see that a lot in bust halves but not barbers. I think possibly dipped and artificial toned but I firmly believe it’s real
