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<p>[QUOTE="Hobo, post: 331775, member: 11521"]There is no question this coin is a counterfeit. The obverse design is incorrect and there were no Double Eagles minted in San Francisco in 1886. </p><p> </p><p>I cannot find this counterfeit in any of the following counterfeit reference books: United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide (Bill Fivaz), Detecting Counterfeit Gold Coins Book 2 (Lonesome John), Standard Catalog of United States Altered and Counterfeit Coins (Sanford Durst), Counterfeit Gold Coins (Alfred Dieffenbacher). </p><p> </p><p>I have a theory that may explain this counterfeit. It may have been struck to skirt the law banning private ownership of gold in the US (1933 to 1974). Ownership of gold bullion was banned but gold coins with a numismatic value to collectors were allowed. Many counterfeit gold coins were struck abroad so they could be imported into the US under the pretext of being collectible coins when in fact the criminals were primarily interested in getting the gold itself into the US. This may explain the crude obverse die design.</p><p> </p><p>It may also explain the mis-matched obverse and reverse dies. The counterfeiters most likely had multiple obverse and reverse dies. They either did not know or did not care that the pairing of an 1886 obverse with an 'S' mintmark reverse would produce a fantasy piece. They were not making these coins to sell to collectors (who would notice their error); they only wanted to get them past Customs. And make a profit by cheating on the gold content of their "coins". </p><p> </p><p>The Middle East (Lebanon in particular) was one of the largest producers of counterfeit gold coins prior to 1975. Their products were generally short on the gold content. After gold ownership became legal in the US in 1975 the counterfeiters turned their attention to collectors. Most counterfeit US gold coins made since 1975 are within (or close to) US Mint tolerance. These coins will be 90% gold and will usually be the correct weight. (In fact, it is very common for counterfeiters to melt genuine US gold coins with little or no numismatic value just for the gold so they have the correct alloy). </p><p> </p><p>If you have not already done so you should check the weight, specific gravity and diameter of your coin. If it is outside of Mint tolerance is may be a pre-1975 Middle East counterfeit.</p><p> </p><p>I think ANACS would like to see this coin so they can add its diagnostics to their database (if they don't already have it).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Hobo, post: 331775, member: 11521"]There is no question this coin is a counterfeit. The obverse design is incorrect and there were no Double Eagles minted in San Francisco in 1886. I cannot find this counterfeit in any of the following counterfeit reference books: United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide (Bill Fivaz), Detecting Counterfeit Gold Coins Book 2 (Lonesome John), Standard Catalog of United States Altered and Counterfeit Coins (Sanford Durst), Counterfeit Gold Coins (Alfred Dieffenbacher). I have a theory that may explain this counterfeit. It may have been struck to skirt the law banning private ownership of gold in the US (1933 to 1974). Ownership of gold bullion was banned but gold coins with a numismatic value to collectors were allowed. Many counterfeit gold coins were struck abroad so they could be imported into the US under the pretext of being collectible coins when in fact the criminals were primarily interested in getting the gold itself into the US. This may explain the crude obverse die design. It may also explain the mis-matched obverse and reverse dies. The counterfeiters most likely had multiple obverse and reverse dies. They either did not know or did not care that the pairing of an 1886 obverse with an 'S' mintmark reverse would produce a fantasy piece. They were not making these coins to sell to collectors (who would notice their error); they only wanted to get them past Customs. And make a profit by cheating on the gold content of their "coins". The Middle East (Lebanon in particular) was one of the largest producers of counterfeit gold coins prior to 1975. Their products were generally short on the gold content. After gold ownership became legal in the US in 1975 the counterfeiters turned their attention to collectors. Most counterfeit US gold coins made since 1975 are within (or close to) US Mint tolerance. These coins will be 90% gold and will usually be the correct weight. (In fact, it is very common for counterfeiters to melt genuine US gold coins with little or no numismatic value just for the gold so they have the correct alloy). If you have not already done so you should check the weight, specific gravity and diameter of your coin. If it is outside of Mint tolerance is may be a pre-1975 Middle East counterfeit. I think ANACS would like to see this coin so they can add its diagnostics to their database (if they don't already have it).[/QUOTE]
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