Is my 1915 S Barber half dollar fake?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Irison, Sep 21, 2019.

  1. Irison

    Irison New Member

    I bought this from eBay. The genuine weight is 12.5 grams. This coin only weighs 11.77 grams.

    Is it possible that the wear and tear of it being circulated decreased it weight?
     
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  3. Irison

    Irison New Member

    I bought this from eBay. The genuine weight is 12.5 grams. This coin only weighs 11.77 grams.
     
  4. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    I'm not sure why you started 2 threads with the same question.

    And, we really can't tell you anything unless you attach pictures.
     
    FooFighter likes this.
  5. MontCollector

    MontCollector Well-Known Member

    Welcome to CT!!

    Got any photos of this coin? The weight does seem a little below tolerance but I do not collect these so I can not be sure. I am kinda curios to know if this coin sticks to a magnet or not though.
     
  6. yakpoo

    yakpoo Member

    I recall reading that it's not a good idea to buy bulk coin silver based on face value because worn silver coins can lose as much as 25% of their weight. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it seems about right.
     
  7. Irison

    Irison New Member

    6B643055-5EDB-41BF-8AAE-E0899F9BFEC0.jpeg . Hey thanks for replying. Pardon the yellow tint, my light bulb has a yellow hue.

    No it’s not magnetic. I just tested it. And it makes a high pitch sound when I flick it in the air.
     
  8. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Can you please post clear photos of both sides without the scale? Crop out all of the background as we need to see the coins details.
     
  9. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Duplicate thread.
     
  10. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    It looks real to me from the one image. I don't see enough wear to account for the weight difference. I would double check the scale to be sure it's correct.
     
    Heavymetal likes this.
  11. chascat

    chascat Well-Known Member

    No reason to be a fake in that condition. Looks well circulated.
     
  12. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    It looks perfectly real to me.
     
  13. COCollector

    COCollector Well-Known Member

    Check your scale: Weigh TWO nickels. Should be 10 grams.
     
    xCoin-Hoarder'92x likes this.
  14. COCollector

    COCollector Well-Known Member

    Possibly your coin was "shaved".

    Long ago, some folks would shave the edge of silver & gold coins. Then, save the shavings and after awhile they'd have a valuable pile.

    I believe that's why coins (like your Barber half) have a reeded edge. It's a kind of security feature... shaving a reeded coin would be instantly recognized by the smoothed edge.

    For comparison, your Barber half dollar should have the same diameter (30.6 mm) as a Kennedy or Franklin half.
     
  15. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Neat calibration trick! Thanks. I'm going to remember that!
     
    xCoin-Hoarder'92x likes this.
  16. Irison

    Irison New Member

    I weighed one nickel. It weighs 4.95 grams
     
  17. Irison

    Irison New Member

    Thank you all for your help! This is fun. Here’s some better pics.
     

    Attached Files:

  18. rte

    rte Well-Known Member

    I'd say that's in the ballpark.
    If it doesn't stick to a magnet :p
    With a strong magnet you can manipulate it to move around a bit on your countertop.

    This one is 11.8
    20190922_151028.jpg
    20190922_151039.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2019
  19. yakpoo

    yakpoo Member

    Two "uncirculated" nickels would be best.
     
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