Is this Saint Gaudens a fake?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Dougmeister, Jul 1, 2014.

  1. Dougmeister

    Dougmeister Well-Known Member

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  3. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter

    I have never seen copper spots on anything other than original coins.... I'm not saying counterfeits don't exist with copper spots... but I have never seen one.
     
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  4. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    It's in a PCGS slab and they don't get authentication on US coins wrong very often.
     
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  5. Dougmeister

    Dougmeister Well-Known Member

    So is it just me or does she look like she either has the mumps or put on a few pounds? ;-)
     
  6. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    No it looks that way. But that could be due to die wear.
     
  7. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Was the die changed slightly between the years? I don't know the answer, just asking.
     
  8. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter

    I was thinking the same thing Doug... die wear. That die was used up.
     
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  9. Dougmeister

    Dougmeister Well-Known Member

    Or she was Preggers ;-)
     
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  10. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Did you end up buying the coin ?

    The cheeks do seem a bit more filled/rounded on the 1st photo.
     
  11. Twobit

    Twobit Active Member

    Nope they don't but it could be a fake coin in a fake slab (aka: chinese counterfit)
     
  12. xCoin-Hoarder'92x

    xCoin-Hoarder'92x Storm Tracker

    But if there's some sort of slab number to look up, and if it doesn't register with any of the US grading companies, uh oh we have a problem.

    And there's also the slabbed coins where the numbers show a completely different coin altogether.
     
  13. Morgandude11

    Morgandude11 As long as it's Silver, I'm listening

    No, it isn't a fake. Nice coin, as a matter of fact.
     
  14. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    That's one of the challenges in finding a nice Saint Gaudens: an unmarred face.
     
  15. Dougmeister

    Dougmeister Well-Known Member

    Nope. Never did buy it.
     
  16. Coinchemistry 2012

    Coinchemistry 2012 Well-Known Member

    The coin looks fine to me. It looks like a weak strike to me.
     
  17. Argenteus Fossil

    Argenteus Fossil Active Member

    The die crack running through the top of LIBERTY also indicates a used die. Aside from the face, look at how weak the top half of the torch is on yours versus the example you posted below for comparison.
     
  18. ksparrow

    ksparrow Coin Hoarder Supporter

    Yeah, I think the die was starting to fall apart leading to weak strike on the upper obv. and the unusual appearance.
     
  19. derkerlegand

    derkerlegand Well-Known Member

    Funny how sharp the leaves on lower right, and less sharp the Capitol buildings on the left.
     
  20. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Revisiting this thread, I agree it looks like a good coin. I'm much better at grading Saints now vs. 5 years ago so I focused on:

    (1) The die argument makes sense. It's why the left foot toes are not defined that well and why the face is flatter/rounder than higher/oval.

    (2) Capitol Building is not sharp, either.

    (3) But right-side of gown has the 3 "V's" which are tough to replicate on counterfeits.

    (4) "Pits" in gown elsewhere match up with legit Saints.

    (5) Copper spots likely indicate authenticity.
     
  21. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    I actually like the look of her face on that coin. A few extra pounds never hurt a girl. And I see absolutely no reason to question the authenticity it’s just worn out dies
     
    GoldFinger1969 likes this.
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