Counterfeit 1796 Half Dime

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by doug444, Jul 11, 2012.

  1. doug444

    doug444 STAMPS and POSTCARDS too!

    I have been told this 1796 Half Dime is a counterfeit, and I would like our experts to examine and discuss the coin. The reverse shows extremely heavy adjustment (?) marks, while some areas of the obverse are nearly proof-like. A real puzzler.

    C906 1796 Half Dime obverse.jpg C907b 1796 Half Dime reverse.jpg
     
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  3. cciesielski01

    cciesielski01 Laced Up

    Those aren't adjustment marks, adjustment marks were made preveous to striking a coin. It looks counterfeit to me as well but I'm not an expert on early American coinage but I'm sure someone will chime in.

    Cody
     
  4. BostonCoins

    BostonCoins Well-Known Member

    I think it's counterfeit as well. After looking closely at it, and comparing it to a genuine coin, here are some more obvious differences I could see:

    1. Font of 1796. On your coin, the date appears to be short and stubby. On a genuine coin, the date is long and slender.

    2. Font of Liberty. Again, on your coin, the letters appear to be short and stubby, where on a real coin, the lettering is much more slender. The font type even appears to be completely different.

    3. The stars. They just don't seem 'right'. Looking at the overall shape of the stars, yours appear to be much thicker and less detailed than an original one. I'm willing to consider 'wear', however, considering how very little wear there is on your coin, I can't imagine the things being THAT worn down to make them seem so out of shape.

    4. Liberty's chin/neck. On your coin, liberty's neck is nice and slender. On a real one, Mrs. liberty has more of a double chin... more meat you might say.

    5. The Bottom Right most Star should be touching liberty's chest... on your coin, there is a sizable gap. That seems out of place.


    I'm willing to consider different die's and such to explain SOME of the varieties seen between yours and a genuine coin, however, looking at some of the more obvious features such as the Lettering in liberty.... the date.... the font just doesn't seem right at all.

    I really believe your coin is a counterfeit made to look old. Have you ever done a magnet check on it?
     
  5. doug444

    doug444 STAMPS and POSTCARDS too!

    Yes, it's not magnetic. You anticipated my next question, is it a 18th, 19th, or 20th Century fake?
     
  6. ratio411

    ratio411 Active Member

    I think the 'grinding' of the reverse was to hide a marking.
    Probably the word "COPY" or something similar.
    You can tell the rear was mechanically ground, and it is not wear.
     
  7. ratio411

    ratio411 Active Member

    What is the diameter and weight?
     
  8. doug444

    doug444 STAMPS and POSTCARDS too!

    The diameter is 16.25 to 16.50 mm. I have no way to weigh such a small coin accurately.
     
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