That is a good example. There are several characteristics that distinguish that counterfeit, but I always look at the "R" in "PLURIBUS", first. The left leg of the letter seems to have a hole in it.
Nice examples. Have you ever been able to run across a Henning nickel that's uncirculated? I have not but would love to see one. Also, have you ever been able to locate any other years of the Henning counterfeits?
I have not seen an uncirculated example since the ANA show in Atlanta. I have heard of other years being counterfeited, but have not run across any yet. I have added a counterfeit thread on the main forum, and I will be adding photos of the better coins each day.
Actually they are kind of tough to find these days. I bought two this year, and both cost me good money considering they are fakes. I have heard that they occasionally hit Ebay.
Here is the one I bought from a trustworthy eBay seller: Hennig Nickel You can usually expect to pay more for these, but you have to consider the time and effort that was put into searching for this particular "coin". I just got a nice 1866 Shield nickel, in the mail today, and I can honestly say that I don't like it any better than my Hennig nickel.
Congrats on the buy. I have seen a few of these pop up from time to time. The majority are bringing about $40 on the bourse floor.
I am surprised that they are bringing that much money. I have owned about 5 Hennig Nickels and all have been obtained on eBay for around the $20 range. I also have a 1943 no-mintmark nickel which weighs in at 4.76 grams. It's definately not a Henning nickel but is a very convincing counterfeit (minus the mint mark).
I have heard that a few hit Ebay, but on the bourse floors, they are getting scarce. I have seen 4 this year. Bought two of them. I paid 30 a piece. Since we use counterfeits in our education department, sometimes we have to pay a little extra to get them.
Yeah Jason, that is a very rediculous price. It wouldn't surprise me though, if it still sells. Some folks don't seem to care what a coin costs, as long as they can get what they're looking for.
I spoke with this seller last night and he is claiming that the coin weighs in at 5 grams and it has no markers of a Henning nickel..... I told him to send it to ANACS or PCGS for authentication if he thinks its a genuine clad struck nickel.
Actually, after looking at it closer, it doesn't have the "hole in the R", as on true Henning nickels. I have never heard of a 1944 cupro-nickel Jefferson w/o MM, have you? What I think is more likely, is that it is simply a normal 1944, with the MM removed. (Good advice on having it authenticated, BTW)
I have actually owned a 1944 missing mint mark nickel that was not a Henning nickel also. It appeared not to have had the Mint mark removed but rather a cast counterfeit as if I remember correctly it was underweight. I sold it some time ago on eBay. I also examined one from a couple months ago that was sent to me but had a hell of a time determining if it was real or not (as it weighed right at 5 grams). I left that one as undetermined and suggested someone more experienced in counterfeits look at it. You would think that if a CU nickel did end up being minted during the war years that it would be a 1943 but stranger things have happened...
I was happy to find this forum/thread, since I love collecting the Henning forgeries. I am not an expert by any means, but here is some random information that I have gathered, some of which slightly contradicts what others have posted here: - the defective “R” is the most obvious way to distinguish a 1944 Henning counterfeit, BUT….Henning used several reverse dies, so many of his fakes do not have the tell-take R, or the die crack. (I have one or two of these variations). - several obverse dies were made, so other dates appear with the defective “R” as well. Since there would be nothing otherwise out of the ordinary about them (such as is the case with the missing mintmark on the 1944), virtually all of these have gone undetected over the years. If the non-defective reverse was used with one of the other dates, it is probably safe to say that NONE of them were detected, at least not when the coins were well circulated. - cost seems to be rising. I have several of them, and I have paid less than $20 for the most expensive, and as little as $1 for the least expensive. (The $1 Henning was from eBay and was not properly attributed as a Henning. It even came with a real 1944P nickel. PLUS…..it is the best condition Henning I have – only lightly circulated, with original surfaces on the fields and in the detail. These unworn areas have a nice blue-gray color and allow me to see what a Henning looked like new. The fields have slight imperfections throughout, which are quickly smoothed over by circulation wear.) Lately, eBay has seen some go for as much as $45, and most go or over $20. Anyway, this is my take on the Hennings. People should feel free to add/correct as appropriate.
here is a current ebay auction for a no "P" nickel might be a Henning http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3917280314
JBK, That's some great info on Jefferson counterfeits. Always great to learn something. Keep up the good work, and thanks again. Noob, Yeah, that's surely a Henning nickel. It'll be interresting to see how much it sells for. It appears to be a very nice example.
I will let yall know how the nickel is when it arrives. One I saw it thought I woudl bid and won the auction.
I was almost going to bid on it (I think I did early on, as a matter of fact), but I saw your name on eBay, so I backed off. That price is about my top limit for a Henning, anyway. I have paid thatmauch, but don't like to go higher. In this market, though, that seems to be a relative bargain. It appears to be a nice, average circulated example.