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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;JGAIN, post: 408338, member: 15346&quot;]<b>Counterfiet vs Genuine</b></p><p><br /></p><p>As far as I am concerned, this is a nice <i>better than average</i> example of a genuine VF Large Motto 1866 2 Cent piece. It is a very &quot;clean&quot; coin.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There is no doubt the coin had been previously &quot;cleaned&quot;, but evidently not with a highly abrasive cleaner. Coloring is normal and as I have seen on hundreds of these coins, nothing special. There are no known attributes, double lettering, recut dates, etc.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There seems to be the usual contact marks generally found on coins and the strike is very good, evenly centered there is an even wear pattern across the coin - definately not a cast or otherwise a molded piece. Yes, there is some evidence of light corrosion (pitting) but nothing serious is noted.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The missing Serif on the &quot;D&quot; is not a factor as many coins have taken a &quot;hit&quot; just right to flatten or obliterate a small character in a design or a filled die obstructs a part of a design device. I have seen many such things over 45 years in this business. I would not give it a second thought.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Someone mentioned a &quot;ring&quot; test. I never heard of a <i>ring</i> test for a brass or bronze coin. In the old days, before electronic scales, measuring and other &quot;assaying&quot; devices, people had a tendency to &quot;drop&quot; the coin to listen to the &quot;bell ring&quot; of a heavy silver coin - which told practically nothing as to <i>authenticity</i> because many counterfiets were made from 90%, or so, silver content - and, this worked to some extent on smaller denominations, too. But, too many &quot;drops&quot; damaged a nice coin and they usually slid a grade or two over time.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As to &quot;bumps and bubbles&quot; in the field, many coin planchets were formed out to private concerns and the quality from one batch to another was not up to par sometimes - I have even seen laminated sections on these old coins ........ on our modern Lincolns one can readily see &quot;bubbles&quot; but this is from the copper plating, and in 1866 the Two Cent piece was not plated ..... but, this is another story ........</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If the coin is within the mint&#039;s limits of 96 grains, I&#039;d say there is no question as to it&#039;s authenticity. Actually, I&#039;d say there should be no question or concern at all about this coin being genuine.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Enjoy that beauty![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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