Real or fake 1916 D Mercury dime?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by mattsobo, Mar 30, 2015.

  1. mattsobo

    mattsobo Member

    Just bought this on eBay and received it today, looking for some opinions on it's authenticity. I just don't wanna waste time and money on grading if it's a fake. And now for the pictures...


    0330151726.jpg 0330151727.jpg 0330151730.jpg 0330151731.jpg 0330151729.jpg

    It appears to be silver and I know this coin has been cleaned. Thanks for any help guys.
     
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  3. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    I don't like the look of that mint mark.
    This is what a 1916D should look like.
    1916 D.jpg
     
    Bret Swanie likes this.
  4. Cringely

    Cringely Active Member

    I'm told that the 1916-D is one of the most faked coins out there.
     
    rzage likes this.
  5. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    The whole appearance looks 'off' to me
     
    KurtS likes this.
  6. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    I really can't see the D well enough to tell . But in the PCSG Grading and counterfeit Detection book it says , " The shape of the MM is crucial , on genuine pieces the MM is boxy and squared off . On the right side , the curve at the bottom and top is angled not rounded . The inside of the D looks like a triangle . Hope this helps .
     
  7. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    o
    Mostly with glued or soldered MMs . If you have a strong enough loupe or scope , look to see if any part of the MM's bottom is not touching the coins field .
     
  8. Nevadabell

    Nevadabell A picture of me.

    I'm gonna agree with Treashunt and say that's a probable fake.
     
  9. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    It just don't look right, especially the reverse. Why is the Fasces so badly worn and the rest of the dime isn't. The date and the area below her neck doesn't look right either. Hope you can send it back cause it looks fake to me as well. I can't see the "D" very well but what I can see, doesn't look right. The font on the reverse looks strange like it's just a hair too big or something. IDK, looks fake. blob5.gif
     
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  10. ksparrow

    ksparrow Coin Hoarder Supporter

    The mintmark doesn't look right to me. I used to have a link to the 4 different mintmarks but can't find it right now.
    Here we go. the 4 different mintmarks. Note the positions. Also the rev of the 16-d is rotated in several specific positions relative to the obv. This can be assessed when the coin is in a 2x2 or slab.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. mattsobo

    mattsobo Member

    Thanks for all the input guys, I'm gonna send it into anacs and see what happens. I"ll post an update when I get it back.
     
  12. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Good luck; it doesn't look good from my perspective.
     
  13. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    Also now that I look at the scratches or gouges , it seems to be the same color on the inside as the fields . Not a good sign at all . Also I'd love to see a pic of the reeding .
     
    JPeace$ likes this.
  14. jtlee321

    jtlee321 Well-Known Member

    The gouges, the reeding and the mintmark all scream fake to me. I'm no expert, but with all the scratches and gouges appearing the same color, it looks like a counterfeit that is trying to be disguised as an abused coin. The spacing on the reeding looks to far apart to me as well. I don't want to rain on the parade, but if I bought the coin, I'd send it back.
     
  15. Tom B

    Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

    That piece, even if genuine, would never grade as problem-free. It seems to me to be a money pit.
     
    JPeace$ likes this.
  16. KurtS

    KurtS Die variety collector

    Yeah...and look at the size of that thing!
     
  17. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    Lead?
     
  18. mattsobo

    mattsobo Member

    Thanks guys for your input I am going to try to return it with the money back
    guarantee on ebay. Should be able to since it is counterfiet and it was listed as a genuine 1916 d mercury dime. Also I think it might be pewter.
     
  19. carboni7e

    carboni7e aka MonsterCoinz

    I've never seen a Mercury wear like that. An obvious fake to me.
     
  20. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    I'm with @Tom B on this one.

    Let's say it is genuine, which I think we all can agree it's not, the coin will never straight grade with those gashes/scratches. Before you buy another raw one, I would suggest you determine what exactly you want out of this key date coin.

    When I buy a key date coin in a series I collect, I don't look to be frugal. IMO, these are the dates you want to "reach" a little financially. I'm not suggesting you get in over your head, but I'd take your time, save a little extra and MAKE sure you get the coin in the condition you desire. I'd also be inclined to buy one that's already been graded.
     
    rzage likes this.
  21. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    Sure looks like it in the pic , but the weight is correct . Maybe a lead alloy ?
     
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