Just saw a very deceptive altered date!

Which of these 1877 dates is on a genuine coin. What is the reason (what is the difference in the 7's) for your choice?

#1




#2





Disregard the scratches on the genuine coin as they mean nothing.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

#1 isn't genuine since the date is recessed into the planchet.

 

First coin, the "sevens" aren't the same, so I'd think that the 2nd is genuine.

 

The counterfeit (#1) is expertly done for sure, however there is some sloping on top of the 7.

A look at date-to-denticle positions may be able to confirm the fake.

 

The first one does look incused date. Is that the deception, they overstrike into the planchet, or is this an optical illusion of photography?

 

The first 7 in the first image was a 2 changed to a 7. Bottom of the 2 sticks out either side and the surface looks to have been "roughed up" to try and disguise it

 

I believe that's only an illusion

 

I don't think there are any 1827 coins (U.S. at least) that have a 7 that looks like that. I could be wrong.

This appears to be an 1877 Indian Head Cent. Rare and a popular target for counterfeiters.

 

Not only is the 1872 IHC a semi key to begin with but the date logotype is wrong. 1872 has a very small date, 1877 has a much larger date. The best logotype matches are 1876, 1875, and 1878.

 

This is so weird, I was staring at it for the longest time thinking it was incuse before I tried a different angle and now I don't see how it looked incuse in the first place, maybe my depth perception is failing....

 

I was replying just to provoke some replies. I am not American, do not live in the USA and know very little about early American coinage, so I achieved my intention. To get some ideas from more knowledgeable people so I can learn some more. Keep the answers coming, it is very interesting

 

There's no doubt in my mind it's incused. The light source is to the top left. There are definitely shadows along the top and left edges consistent with that observation along with brighter areas along the bottom and right edges. It surely looks like someone stamped the date into the planchet.

 

Pic #2, second 7 looks funny to me. I think the striations or cuts on both 7s were added to hide the marks on the 2nd 7.

edit - I believe the incuse look on the 1st coin is purely an optical illusion

edit 2 - I think the curvature of the front face of the top bar of the seven is what is catching my eye. The bottom looks blobbed on.

 

But if the light was from the lower right the shadows would be where they are and the optical illusion would make them look like the light source was upper left.

 

Incuse or not...lol.

 

This is the most damning to me. 3 of the 4 7's pictured have the same serif in the front, but the second coin second 7 is off. The same 7 is off at the bottom as well.

I agree, the second coin is the very deceptive fake. Do to the longstanding history f fake modern US coins, I would never consider buying a 09 S VDB, 22 Plain, 1877 cent, 1916 D dime, etc that was not authenticated. To me, authentication is the most important function of a slab.

 

But if it was raised you wouldn't see the dark shadows like they are in the photo. Plus the texture of the metal inside the numbers is smooth; unlike the areas around it.

Maybe after I have a few drinks I'll change my mind

 

Clue #1

One date is genuine and the other is not. So far only two members have described something I'm trying to "pull" out of you guys. It has to do with the SHAPE of the 7's. That is the "key."

 

OK, I changed my angle to view it and now it looks raised. I retract my earlier comments and plead the fifth.

 

You are correct. The 7's on the first coin are not the same! Do you think the 7's on the second coin are the same?