Detecting counterfeits is not a strong suit of mine. I go by the usuals. Weight, magnet and I even have a sigma. It passes all 3. 26.5 grams. Non magnetic and it passes the sigma. The black garbage on the front concerns me and the die break I’m questioning on the reverse right where the mint mark or lack there of should be. What are your thoughts?
I'm no expert so I'm not going to post anything because I don't know. However, it might be of some use if I WERE TO POST THE REASON for posting MY GUESS!
Easy my friend. I understand your concerns and suggestions. Please comment on mine... The black garbage AKA residue, is usually the result of cleaning and usually not helpful when determining the authenticity of a coin. As far as the die break; a die break would not be unique to one particular coin. It would be found on thousands. That lead me to think it would have been researched and assigned a VAM ID. After a quick search I was unable to confirm a variety on VAM World. But I suggest you conduct further research before drawing any conclusions.
I was checking out VAM's as well to see if it was known and couldn't find anything either. Still searching....
The details on this coin look fairly good. The coin is porous, if it was a cast fake the metal would be raised, and from what I am seeing it appears to be incluse, pointing towards environmental damage. I am leaning towards authentic on this piece, but finding it's VAM would be the icing on the cake.
I'm no expert, but I would not buy that coin with someone else's money. I don't think that scab thing on the reverse is a die break. It looks like someone put bubble gum on it to cover up an unwanted mintmark before they made a casting of it. Weak rim at 12 to 2 o'clock on both sides. Excuse me while I get out my 10' pole.
That thought crossed my head as well. If it’s not a “P” mint mark the value goes way down so it would be worth it for a scammer to do that and try to pawn it off. Conveniently located, isn’t it?
That doesn't look like a die break to me. It looks like enemy action. Solder, even? An attempt to cover up an overly-heavy-handed mint mark removal?
