Does anyone have any good websites or articles where I can gather information about the counterfeiting of US gold coins? Thanks
I don't know of any websites devoted to the subject (although I'm sure there is one) but start with the PCGS Guide to Grading and Counterfeit Detection. I'm sure Kevin (aka goldcoinlover on this site, I think) can point you in the right direction as well - he took the ANA's summer class about the subject in recent years.
Bill Fivaz's book (United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide) is a great place to start. PM me and I can give you a long list of other valuable references.
Thanks physicsfan, you're thread on luster was very helpful. You also explained something to me which I had no idea about, why some people may have taken my semi PL coin as cleaned, based on the photos' and not seen in hand, I've had 2 people tell me it looked cleaned, online, but not in hand, and I didn't exactly know why they were reaching that conculsion, your private message really explained it greatly. To be fair, I didn't take the 2 week counterfeit detection course in Colorado, I hope to take that some day but living in arizona I live far away from colorado. I took ANA's 3 day course, Grading, Authentication, and Conservation. Was only really interested in the authentication part, but I was already familiar with it. The authentication class was part alteration, part counterfeit detection. I did not do too well on the alterations, but counterfeit diagnoses were more easy for me. The best part was getting to look at tons of counterfeit gold, including some of omega's $3 and famous $20 pieces. I also made a thread about it here, it should help out the OP's question. It was already linked I believe. I'm not too familiar with any online resources that aren't already listed, I put some reference material online where you can find more about counterfeits online, try the ANA Magazine online (if you're an ANA member), each one has an article on counterfeit detection. The recent addition even had an article on making your own homemade specific gravity test. It was quite good, I recommend that. I put some references to the harry bass found on the ANA site (I believe) that you can read on there, from the notes of my class on the counterfeit detection page. You may also want to pick up some books on it, or borrow from the ANA library. Some good ones: Bill Fivaz counterfeit detection guide (pocket book) (lists geniune counterfeit diangses for key dates) Bill fivaz counterfeit detection guide on US gold coins (this is literally a goldmine of information, really handy) PCGS guide to grading and counterfeit detection Another great one Numismatic forgery A great book on how forgeiries are made, I touched upon it lightly on my counterfeit thread. I suggest reading this if you want to know the in's and outs of how counterfeits are made to help determine a geniune piece. Also I echo what others have said, contact Hobo. He sent me some great information printed out by him on counterfeit gold angels, he must have a library of gold counterfeit books that I'm not aware of Hope this helps! Kevin
