1927 $20 Gold St Gaudens - Counterfit?

Hello I am new here and I was looking for some help. I bought this coin a couple weeks ago at a flea market knowing it was probably fake, but I don't know how to tell that it is for sure fake. It was not super pricy so I figured I would frame it or do something artistic with it but before I crack it open and damage it I wanted to be sure. There isn't a coin dealer inside an hours drive for me, and I was kinda worried they would keep if to be destroyed if it is fake, so I was wondering if any of you could help me out. The biggest difference I can find is that the edges are smooth and the couple of pictures I can find on google have designs on the edge.

 

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Well, OP..... I always hate to offer bad news. But no, the US mint did not produce that coin. Way too many giveaways on that one. The profile of Lady Liberty isn't right. Eagles tail feathers appear separated from the eagle somehow. And worst of all, the surface is bubbly and grainy which is a pretty good indication that has been cast rather than struck. And yes, it should say E Pluribus Unum on the edge..... I would bet you that a magnet will stick to it..... I am sure sorry about that and hope you can take it back to the seller.

 

No its not magnetic, I checked that first. It didnt cost much so im not worried about taking it back, slightly worried about other people buying them expecting them to be real.

 

If it didn't cost much, that is another pretty solid indicator..... There is about $1800.00 in gold alone there.

 

That is what tipped me off that it was fake, the price. But otherwise I dont know enough about them to tell.

 

Can you take 2 smartphone pics of the reverse and obverse ?

I can't tell from the pics you supplied, but Randy is almost certainly right.

 

It's a terrible casting. That should be the giveaway.

 

Another VERY bad sign since it isn't a 27 but a 27 D with is a mid six figure coin if real.

 

Counterfeit, and not even a good one. The low price should have been enough to give it away.

 

I knew in one second that it was fake. What did you pay for it?

 

The problem with that is that the seller and manufacturer both probably made money on it, so they're just encouraged to keep doing it. Tell us how much you paid and we'll know more. I'm guessing you can get these online for $2.

 

I’m sure that at some time, some place, a valuable coin has come out of a flea market. But 99,999 out of 100,000 will be fake.

 

@AdrianAbe Definitely fake; the question is it an alloy of solid gold or it is just a coating over brass? My suggestion is to call a Jeweler or Pawn Shop and ask them if they have an xrf Tester and if they do, could test that coin for you; most will do this for free hoping to buy it from you (for about 60% to 80% of spot) if it is solid gold, to melt down. Whatever you do, DO NOT try to sell it in an online venue! After you get it analyzed, you could try to sell it on one of the coin forums--with FULL disclosure--to a collector that would want it for a valid purpose (such as show-and-tell for counterfeit coin detection).

 

That is sooo cool. I hope we get to know what THE "coin" cost. I live in a small city and they have a group "garage sale" on the first Saturday of the month. A while back, I was looking at a "gold coin". I thought it was pretty nice. The owner even let me hold it. I didn't see his description right off, but after I held it for a while, he told me that the coin was not a real gold coin. I said thanks and started looking at other things he had, then another guy started looking at it. He asked the owner, "How much." The owner told him that it was fake, then the guy said I'll give you $10 and the owner said, "SOLD!"

 

It does happen, rarely. A few years ago a genuine Mint State Continental Currency dollar turned up in a flea market as a $1 copy

 

Genuine U.S. coins are generally well struck and sharp. This piece is mushy and not even a decent fake. Here is a genuine piece.

 

I'm on the look-out for a Saint Gaudens $20 Double Eagle PRE-1933. I would appreciate any direction that I might find one and not be gouged on the price. The Red Book is no help. Even the Coin magazines are behind the day they are printed. I won't buy from TV shows. I would like it graded Mint State, at least MS62 or better.

 

I think Great Collections has plenty to choose from, prices very reasonable.

There's a 1920 MS62 for sale there right now. 5 Bidders, about $1,900 so far. OGH so price might be a bit higher than normal. Ends Sunday.

 

Whoa, nice piece, johnmilton, that sweetie has to be a MS-65.

 

66 CAC or 66+ and maybe even a 67, IMO.