I see these coin replicas made of an ounce or two of silver, and I wouldn't mind getting some. IF they were very close to the original coins. To me, it would be neat to have a 2 oz, Bust Dollar, Buffalo Nickel, Indian Head Cent, etc., just to be able to see the details in the coins. Are these replicas close to being identical to the original coin? Are they supposed to be very close to identical? Does anyone have any and feel they are close to identical? I have to assume that when it has "Copy" on the back, it is very close. Anyone know of a good source for these replicas?
Most replica coins are just that - replicas. Most of them are not pure silver but silver plated. And often the design is quite different. You would be far better off buying common date examples in higher grades so you can become familiar with the details. In most cases - these can be purchased very inexspensively. Often for only a few dollars more than the replica and sometimes even less.
There are an endless number of different designed silver rounds on the market. I have quite a few that I enjoy owning. Not the ones with coin designs, but rather I prefer the ones with US history themes. If you're interested in familiarizing yourself with coin designs, there's no substitute for actual study of the real thing. Like GDJMSP said, a highly detailed Buffalo nickel or an Indian cent can be purchased for only a few dollars. A well preserved Bust dollar will set you back quite a bit, but they are one of the coins that I would recommend that everyone try to aquire at least one example of. If you really want silver rounds with coin designs on them, one thing to look for is a ".999" number on the round. This is a good indication that it is pure silver.
Any I buy would be of .999 silver. That way, there is some type of value. A 2 oz copy of a Buffalo Nickel would be nice to have, IF it was close to being identical to the real thing. I have a BU Type 1 Buffalo, but even under magnification, it is hard to enjoy the detail, like the thick fur around the front shoulders, and the crease in the rear flank etc. Like these: Buffalo Nickel: http://www.rarenumis.com/2ozpursilbuf.html With the Buffalo, or any others available, I would prefer to get one of the commemoratives by the US Mint. Indian Cent: http://www.wscoin.com/ItemList.cfm?ID=1553 I have BU Indian Cents but they are so dark, I cannot see the the fine details like diamonds on the ribbon on the Obverse. With a quality silver 2 oz replica, I can see it. Bust dollar: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/reidgold/draped_busts/page_7a.html More, including the Mercury dime and others: http://koinpro.tripod.com/ReproListUpdated.htm I woudn't be interested in a $25 aluminum copy, but a $20 2oz silver copy would be nice. It would allow me to see the details better on a small coin that I otherwise cannot see. We all have our individual tastes and preferences. If these copies are close to the real thing, I would enjoy having them so I could better enjoy the real things. I was wanting input on just how close they are to the real thing. I have a replica Morgan that is very close, but I can see suttle differences, but it is still nice to have.
How close are they to the real thing? I don't see them as being close at all. I mean I can tell which design is being immitated, but there's no way to compare a silver round to an actual coin. And the "repros" are pretty cheesy looking, IMO.
I have to agree with Jody. With any replica I have even seen there are details present on the replica that don't exist on the genuine coin. And there are details on the genuine coin that don't exist on the replica. If you are using these replicas to enable yourself to be able to recognize features of the genuine items - then you are doing yourself a disservice. But if you are collecting these copies because you like them - then more power to ya
Ditto GDJMSP and Jody: But there is a small element called personal taste and desire. Those who may not want to or cannot afford a Buffalo dollar commem may want the silver round reproduction. But unless you are looking for interesting silver bullion art, I would use the Rogers Q-Tip rule. Three things that must absoultely be the genuine article in my house: Real Coca-Cola, Real name brand bathroom tissue (another story), and real Q-Tips. The real thing is so much better than a knock-off that it is lunacy to spend money on the knock-offs. For me, that is the deal with the silver rounds. My dad has an engraved coin (silver round), but it resembles nothing like a coin ever made. Otherwise, I either wait or buy the "real" thing. My $0.02.
That is what I was after. Is a Buffalo dollar commem close to being identical to a Buffalo nickel? Is the Buffalo commem produced by the US Mint? I thought it was. And is the Buffalo the only coin with such a commem edition by the US Mint?
Yes, the Buffalo commemorative is the same James Earl Frazier design as found on the Buffalo nickel. The Bullion, sold by the US Mint, known as "Silver Eagles", also makes use of the same Wienman design that is found on the Walking Liberty half dollar.
That is not true. The word COPY is required by the Hobby Protection Act. You can find it - and other laws and a ton of other kinds of information - in the COIN WORLD ALMANAC. The word "Copy" on a coin does not guarantee that it is a close copy or a good replica.
To look at the real thing, see, for instance: http://www.coinfacts.com/silver_dollars/1804_dollars/watters_childs_1804_silver_dollar.htm You can find this coin by googling ELIASBERG 1804 DOLLAR or WATTERS CHILDS 1804 DOLLAR. You will see that the cameo proof "replica" on the "Draped Busts" page falls short of reality because is to "too perfect." And yet the real one was graded Proof 68. Can you tell when a 14 year old girl is loaded with make-up to go with a fake driver's license so she can pass for 21? Can you tell when a 50 year old woman has died her hair to look 35? What does it look like to you when an old guy with a comb-over is in a Corvette? That is how these replicas will look to you a year from now. Michael
For my money, I would stay away from these concocted “collectables”. Some of the silver producers make rounds with designs similar or almost identical to older coins, but for no extra premium. These are bullion rounds and the extra design is more or less free. These are the ones I would go for. But…. as has been stated, these are not necessarily exact replicas – just rough copies. If you want the real thing, get the real thing, or a good contemporary counterfeit.
