Why do many older, large coins such as quarters, halves, dollars and large cents have an "X" scratched in them, usually on the obverse? They're obviously deliberate additions. It must be some political or societal reason based on late 1800's or early 1900's life.
Most men carried a knife years ago. That combined with a little boredom and/or a rebellious nature may explain the coin vandalism.
heres and old one witha X on it maybe its a way to make sure a coin will be affordable for future collectors
I have heard about spouses or jealous girlfriends I have also heard that unhappy spouses or ex. wives and girlfriend would do this before they departed, IE: "I'll show him" Ben
When hardtimes hit the pockets of coin collectors in past years and a decision was made to turn in their common date rolls to the banks for some badly needed food and rent money, some of those collectors scratched the surface of those coins so other/future collectors wouldn't benefit from their hardship. Other collectors who searched rolls for coins to fill the holes in their coin albums put Xs on them to make the coins they didn't need worthless to collectors. This, also had the side effect of lowering the number of desireable coins available. Though these practices were despicable, they were done... Clinker
I've got a counterfeit Seated Liberty quarter that has a large "X" on the reverse. I just figured someone did it so that people down the road would know it was counterfeit. Then again, it's struck in aluminum, which is a bit of a giveaway.
Precisely. It has long been a common practice to mark fake coins with an X. Many merchants would do this so that other merchants would know immeadiately that the coin was a fake. Many collectors and dealers are known to do it as well. I have stated this several times in the past, but it always seems to get ignored or forgotten.
Help me understand this. A merchant recieves a fake coin and marks it with an X so it does not fool other merchants. Fine. But how could the coin have a chance to fool another merchant unless that merchant puts the fake coin back into circulation?
:bigeyes:Well maybe he decided to put it back in circulation, and wanted to put it in a gum machine now if another merchant gets it in circulation ,and is familier with the marking he knows it's a fake .jazzcoins joe Now i;m confussed
That makes no sense to me. A merchant protects others by marking the fake coin with an X; then he spends it (or gives it out in change)? Why not simply remove it from circulation? Cut it in half. Smash it with a hammer. Bend it over on itself. I'm not trying to be argumentative. This simply makes no sense to me.
just a thought.....maybe they scratched coins so they could recognize them as theirs....in case someone in their family/group etc.stole them.. ....just a thought........a dollar was a lot of money 150 yr.ago.. now, as to an uncommon coin like this 20 cent piece(at least i hope the pics show up) its a given that it was to distinguish this confusing coin from the 25 cent piece.... just a thought.........
Maybe the merchant put an X on the counterfeit so after he unloaded it on someone else, if it came back, he'd know it was a counterfeit and wouldn't accept it? :whistle: Ribbit
I have seen Bust halves with such cuts, and I thought it was a method of counterfeit detection as these were common coins then ( like a quarter in your pocket). With practice, one can better determine by the color, luster, and ease of cutting into the metal. Just a thought. Jim
Couldn't begin to answer. But why do you suppose they mark replica coins with COPY. That sure as heck doesn;t keep them out of the marketplace either.
Because then he has to absorb the loss. If he can pass it on he doesn't. If it comes back again he can recognize and refuse it. Of course that wouldn't the X on genuine coins so here's an explanation for them. They were pieces that were suspected of being fakes, cut to test them and they passed the test. (Not just plated or made of lead.) Personally I just think it's boredom defacement.
