Fake half eagle. Someone got burned unfortunately. Please be careful https://www.ebay.com/itm/1908-Indian-Head-5-Dollar-Half-Eagle-Gold-Coin/293281910009?hash=item4448f6ccf9:g:yKEAAOSw1V9dp2EO
Unfortunately the counterfeiters have had a reasonably good handle on pre-33 gold. The junk silver stuff they turned out looked so cartoonish that it was fairly easy for the average collector to spot the junk. I am a pre-33 gold guy and will not buy it off the web.
pre33 have been faked for a quite a number of years now unfortunately. just search on CT "indian head gold fake" and you'll see years worth of fake eBay etc postings identified.
How did you quickly identify this as a fake? I see that the edge looks a little unusual in how it is raised. And the incuseness looks almost too perfect for a coin supposedly that old. But the seller has tons of feedback, almost entirely positive, so I can see many people overlooking this as a fake. Please tell us more about why you know this is a counterfeit.
Please tell us more about why you know this is a counterfeit.[/QUOTE] There are several signs best seen on the eagle side. Upfolded rim, the inscription comes incorrect and mushy and the whole coin lacks of good details. And of course the coin is not slabbed
There are several signs best seen on the eagle side. Upfolded rim, the inscription comes incorrect and mushy and the whole coin lacks of good details. And of course the coin is not slabbed[/QUOTE] Also some of the stars are off when looked closely upon.
Somewhere on its website, PCGS talks about receiving a full set of Indian quarter eagles for slabbing. Each and every one was a fake.
I decided 10 or 15 years ago not to buy any pre-1933 (US) gold that wasn't slabbed by PCGS or NCG. I think even if I bought an AGE or ML I'd want it slabbed.
