I saw this pennant in a store recently and was curious as to whether the Pine Tree Shilling in it was a fake or not, and if the price was what I should pay for it. It's NOE 29, I believe, and the condition is relatively good (very well centered). Sadly, the store owner didn't have any good measurements on the coin handy, but he was kind enough to let me take a few pictures: Does anyone know if it's a fake, or how much it may be worth? Any tips to determine either myself? Thanks
I believe pretty strongly it is a fake. The reasons for this include that the piece appears to be completely round and that it has all of its letters well struck and placed far away from the rims. This was just not the case when these were originally produced. I would guess it is a modern replica and worth a few dollars if silver. Of course, I have not seen it in-hand.
The store owner had a certificate of authenticity, and he's well regarded. I wasn't sure if it was a fake or not, but if it's authentic, what is it worth? Further more, all the NOE 29's I've seen are well struck, and the gold setting on the pennant disguises the shape.
Did you edit your first post to change the story of this piece? I seem to recall different details when it was originally posted. Perhaps I am wrong.
Per Breen's, Page 18, #61, Noe 29: The X in XII appears a little off. The plate illustrated shows the X tilted slightly counterclockwise. Per Whitman's, Page 49, W-930, Noe 29: The X in XII appears a little off. The plate illustrated shows the X tilted slightly counterclockwise. (Note that the specimen illustrated appears to be different than the one illustrated in Breen's.) Other than that, at first glance, it looks spot on. The COA - who issued it? And what does it cover? Breen advises the following for grading: Good: All legends legible; tree and inner circle beads may be weak. Fine: All leaves boldly clear. Higher Grades: Grade by surface. Whitman's lists a F-12 at $1900. I'd consult HA.com If you have any interest in buying it, I would have a written agreement between you and the SELLER (not the party listed on the COA) that you can return the specimen for full refund + TPG costs if it doesn't come back as Authentic from a TPG. If you're willing to spend that kind of cash, and he doesn't want to sign the written agreement, I'd take my business elsewhere to find one.
Unless the supposed certificate of authenticity is from an extremely credible, highy respected and well known source and can definitely be matched to the specific item in question, I would ignore it completely.
I did edit the post. I do not own the coin, and was worried that drawing attention to it might get someone in my area to buy it before I did, so I didn't want to explain that it was for sale. As for the COA, I'll check the store tomorrow, but don't recall offhand. I don't think it was NGC or PCGS, which is somewhat concerning, but I'd have to check again. One thing I'm still hung up on is the price of the item. I still don't think it's worth what the store is pricing it as.
Even if the price did seem worth it, unless you KNOW the item is genuine, you should definitely pass on it.
Good thinking! Heed the advice given by the others. Putting it into a bezel may be a way of hiding a seam which would be a dead giveaway of it being a copy.
Looks too nicely centered to be real. Very few of them look as nice. I would have it certified before I would touch it.
