I've been going through my grandfather's coin collection and came across these two oddballs. Any info on what they might be is appreciated.
Not sure what the top is. Looks like there was something on the other side that has been worn off. Bottom coin is a "Bar Cent". I know next to nothing about these coins but they are heavily counterfeited. Yours looks kind of like the counterfeit example in this article: https://coinweek.com/us-coins/early-american-coins-the-bar-cent-and-counterfeits/ I'd wait for other opinions though
Thank you...a Bar Cent. Fascinating. On my coin, the "A" is on top of the "S" and the other telltale marks of a counterfeit coin aren't present. Looks like this one needs to be graded. And to think, I was going to toss it in with the various bus / train tokens. Glad I asked. The reverse of the HPO coin is very worn, but the date (1878) can still be seen. If I knew what I was looking for, I could compare the description with the little bit of detail that remains.
I would think the other is a token. I would also take the bar token to your local coin shop or to a coin show. We have photos but they would have the coin in hand. By your photos I’m not convinced that it’s real.
Here's a couple of better images of the Bar Cent. A couple of Counterfeit vs Genuine points from https://coinweek.com/us-coins/early-american-coins-the-bar-cent-and-counterfeits/: the A appears on top of the S the spike is clearly visible, but mine in on the top left / bottom right I don't see the die crack, but may not know exactly what I'm looking for there isn't a seam around the edge, though it does have a rough pitted surface I plan to get the coin graded next week and will let you know the results.
With the "thorn" on the wrong side, I have trouble seeing it as genuine. The large chunk missing from A is also a red flag for me.
Just saw this post. The bar token. Fake. Tourist piece. The H.P.O. piece: not fake. Mexikanische token, bronze, zwei Zeilen 1/8' Darunter Datum. Mexico. "1/8" beneath date. It is also known with "1/8" above date Grove-Noe About $35 presently.
Thank you for your help with the identification of the 1878 H P O coin. Your description has me as a bit of a loss, primarily because I'm a coin novice. When I use some of the terms you supplied, I'm unable to find the coin listed in the various online sources I've used thus far. If you wouldn't mind, please steer me to a valid listing which can tell me a bit more about the coin.
Try the Dr. Fisher auction of may 2021. The token is ex-Noe and referenced in Grove. I am not at home to pull my archives and examples. I should also have mentioned that, while I doubt your piece was doctored, but I do not have it in hand. The 1/8 above date is known to exist w/o 1/8, but there are a few examples of no dates (removed?)that have been mentioned in literature. You can also research the ANS 2nd Republic of Mexico literature of tokens. The "listing" info I gave is valid. I don't think it is economic to send to a TPG, but of course there is no other reason not to do so.
I had the "Bar Cent" graded by a PCGS / NGC member and, unfortunately, it's not genuine. Well, there goes my hope for an easy windfall.
Live and learn. It's nice to have all of the members here at Coin Talk to pitch in and help. Welcome to the ride, Leo.
