This example was the subject of a previous Coin Talk post (https://www.cointalk.com/threads/fs-901-ddr-1899-barber-quarter-fake.339299/) and it was closed prior to any conclusion on the status of the “coin”. It is my understanding it went back to the TPG for review and fell off the radar; I had been communicating with the owner but that also went quiet after a few responses. The posted CoinFacts page for this variety changed from the initial version with an image of this particular example to one with no images and “N/A’s” for any specifics. The on-line cert went blank as well with the now note “that certification number was not found”, so I “assume” this one didn’t fare well in the review… Still hoping for follow-up and closure on this one!
There's a nice blurb about it in the latest BCCS Journal (Barber Coin Collector Society), including a shout out to Jack Young
Thank you- I knew John was putting something together on it after our discussions. I have a note into him to see if I can get a copy scanned.
Maybe I can post a synopsis this weekend. [edit] I apologize, I should have mentioned the Journal agrees with the notion the coin is probably phony.
It could be fake, then again... It could be real. [read: genuine]. Or perhaps not. I hope that helps. This from some one with [literally] a few thousand Barber quarters...
Exactly! I have permission to post the following article from the Summer 2019 issue of the Journal of the Barber Coin Collectors' Society with the website www.barbercoins.org.
Good read Jack. I wish they would have said how many pieces are actually graded, even a population would be nice. Anyways thanks for getting this published. It is invaluable to the numismatic community
Yes, I just notified John of the issue from Mike's original post; John wrote the article and I didn't realize it was published until LakeEffect added his note.
Might be too late to do anything about it since it is published already, but perhaps you can ask them to make a note of acknowledgement/correction in the next issue. Mike discovered it, so really he deserves a major nod.
I would like to add a big call out to @ToughCOINS for the initial post and discovery; my goal has always been to get as much information about counterfeits to as many people in the Hobby as possible and appreciate this venue as one avenue for that.
Aw shucks guys, it is nice to be recognized, but what's more important is that we all do our part to combat the counterfeiting, no matter where the credit goes.
As follow up on this coin, John Frost knew of another collector member of LSCC with an 1899 DDR 25c in his collection, and arranged for it to be brought to FUN 2020 for examination. I asked John if, when he examined the coin, I too could examine it myself for education purposes, and was assured that efforts would be made to accommodate me. Unfortunately, I learned the following morning that I’d missed my opportunity, but all is not lost. The reason I didn’t see the coin is that it turned out to be a sister coin to the counterfeit already reported, and extra time spent on it would be time wasted. To date, a real example of an 1899 DDO Barber Quarter has not been confirmed.