I am trying to find out the worth of the coin I have. I have attached pictures. Can anyone assist me? Thanks
Let me add this. These copies make great conversation pieces, and fantastic gifts to collectors. They can be used to educate others about numismatics and our nations history. Just because they have little monetary value doesn't dimish them from great little numismatic treasures.
Lesson time Professor Steve. What is the tipoff? (To me the coin has the look and feel of a casting, and the Red Book says they were struck.)
Photo number two shows the word "copy" at about 5 o'clock Yes it is cast also. The fields are way to rough for struck.
1785 Constellatio Nova I too have this coin but I can not find "copy" anywhere on it. How can I tell if it is cast or struck? Thanks! Monica
Welcome to the forum Monica. If you can, post pictures here for the forum members to check out. Castings usually have a porous appearance under magnification, although the highest quality ones need extreme magnification to show their true nature; while struck coins generally have a smooth surface, with "flow lines" in the fields, also visible under magnification. Flow lines resultfrom the high pressure of the striking press which literally causes the metal to flow into the depressed areas of the dies as they become the raised features of the coin. Now, in the case of a rarity such as this, since even some struck examples are counterfeit, determining that it is cast will be conclusive evidence of fakery, but determining that it is struck will only be non-evidence of fakery. A struck copy needs to be examined by an expert who can look at such things as the position of the lettering, the font style of the lettering, and known features of the design.
Here's my 1783 nova scans Having worked at a titanium casting plant, I know what you mean by porous surface from casting. This coin definately has them. Bummer. Plus I've heard that there is only one true pattern in existance. Now only if I could remember where I got this! Thanks! Monica
