probably not What is the source? If eBay and from an overseas (e.g., China) source, the odds are 99+% they are not real. From their appearance, they are artificially toned at the least. I'd also look at the rims (rims inconsistent with the obverse/reverse appearance?). Finally, weight is another thing you need to know. If they are from a B&M dealer you trust, there is a chance they might be real. If you don't know/trust the source, I'd pass unless you can have them examined by an expert.
Source is questionable, but is U.S. Seller is trying to sell them at an unbelievable price, stating he doesn't know if they are real. Don't have them in hand now to weigh them. Can anyone point to a problem with them or clear sign they aren't real? I don't like the lack of detail in the shield, but is that normal or maybe the pics?
yes, they are real they are real! they appear have to have thumb rub, possibly to inhance details, were possibly cleaned at one ponit in time :thumb:
Yes, also... Yes, they look real , but they appear to have been cleaned some time ago, thus making the coins have uneven in appearance. Can you please post a photo of the edge/rim?
They thumb the fakes too. A lot of Chinese counterfeits are artificially "distressed" because they don't come off the dies looking old. I think I see the tell tale larger rims on the 1801 at about 5 o'clock on the obverse. I am at home for the next week... I don't have my references here with me. Anyone have the bust dollar book they can look these up in?
There's a nice lead-in. StateQuarterGuy, buy the book before you buy these coins ! For me, buying these coins sight-unseen is out of the question. No way. Though I didn't see anything which conclusively condemns them as counterfeits, I don't have enough experience with these to make a call without a really close look. LD is right on... get the book and attribute them. If I remember later I'll check it out.
If real (which I doubt), I would call them both VG. The 1799, 13 star reverse is listed as $1,200 in the 2010 Redbook. The 1891 lists for $1,050. What bothers me is that you have two coins in nearly identical condition with near identical toning. That makes me very suspicious!
Look at how few hits these coins have on them for the age and condition. Big red flag to me. How can that happen?
Sorry, the 1801 In looking at inlarged pics, I notice an applied rim to the 1801, BEWARE of these coins. I'll post an example if you like?
Definitely fake. Major clue, they are both from the same reverse die even though they date three years apart. Also notice on the fourth red stripe from the left on the shield about 2/3rds of the way down. The exact same dent/contact mark. As mentioned earlier the 1801 appears to have a wire rim on the obv around 3 - 6:00, something not possible on an open collar coin. I am surprised to see the obv dies were hubbed from two different hubs. (But I think the two hubs came from the same original model.) Problem on the 1799, it has the point of the curl chipped off below the B. I believe that point chipped off the hub punch in 1802 or 1803.
Good call Conder! I didn't see that contact mark... but now that you mention it... you are exactly right.