I am paranoid about the ever increasing quality of counterfeit coins from asia and wonder if there is a safe haven. Can proof type coins be convincingly counterfeited?
I would say yes, but definitely more difficult. I have many examples of various types of counterfeits, and I have read literature on the subject. I have never heard of proofs being counterfeited, and I have never seen a proof counterfeit coin (that I know of!)
Proofs would be extremely difficult to counterfeit. At least with 2009 technology; now as for 2010 technology? Who knows.
It would be very difficult, very, very difficult and not worth It would be very difficult, very, very difficult and not worth the set up cost unless on a few classic coins. It (the scam) would also be exposed very quickly if many numbers of these entering the market would tip someone off. Also the details on U.S. mint proofs would seem to favor easy detection. To truly copy a classic U.S. mint proof coin Before 1940 and gain much return on your set up/investment costs seems like it would not be a wise choice for counterfeitter. Crooks want easy money and there are other coins that could be counterfeitted and slip in the circ. coin catorgory much more easily than U.S. proofs.
Of course a proof could be counterfeited, never say never. I wouldn't be surprized if crooks have already thought to attempt creating them or that they may have already tried to, but to be 'convincingly counterfeited?' as the OP asked... Wouldn't a counterfeit proof be a misnomer? Laying aside the costs of counterfeiting a proof for the sake of this argument and allowing that one day the costs and labor to do so may cease to be a hurdle: If a proof coin is of the highest quality, that stands to represent the best example of a coins design and its minting, then a given proof type coin at it's highest possible grade, exact in every regard as well as being undetectable by anyone or any TPG, then would it not be possible to call it a counterfeit since no collector, dealer, expert or TPG could detect it as as such? Vice versa the 'real' proof from a Mint wouldn't be any more authentic than the 'convincing counterfeit' proof if the above occurred.
The question is not "can a proof be counterfeited", but rather "can a proof be counterfeited convincingly". My guess is it would be much more difficult compared to business strikes.
Many counterfeits are in collections and the collectors don't even know they are counterfeits. I'm sure there are already some made and probably after this posts, some counterfeiter will be saying "Great idea, think I'll try that one." As to a faked proof not being worth the trouble, there are some really odd, rediculous, not profitable fakes/counterfeits out there. Those fake Nickels of no Numimatic value. One rediculous one is the recoated 1943 Cents. I've seen them selling for $0.10 to $0.25 and wonder just how much did it cost to redo them anyway? There have been reports that the Chinese have made fakes of Silver dollars with pure Silver. I used to have a Half made from Lead. So why not a faked Proof? Imagine finding out you have an entire faked proof set.
If you can make a convincing business strike die that many would have difficulty telling from a genuine then making a proof would be childs play.
Hmmmm... the more I think about it, that's probably right. To "do business", one already has "the hard parts" - presses, dies, and good flans. Just polish the dies and flans, then several good strikes per coin and you're there. :goof:
