Does anything with this Year 11 Korea Half Won scream that it's fake? It seems alright from what I can tell. It's still incoming and I'll be doing my normal magnetism, weight, and diameter testing. And, here's what I think it'll grade as: Spoiler AU-50 Thanks in advance!
The lettering, "Half Won" looks like the kind you'd see on a counterfeit. I really do not know much about these "old" machine-struck coins from this time period. I think @gxseries is a good person to ask. @hontonai may be another. Here's one currently up for bid in an NGC holder: http://www.ebay.com/itm/332246779813?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT Compare the lettering perhaps...?
I think the Year 11 one has a bit bolder font for the "HALF WON" legend (eBay example below). I saw the other year versions, too, and they're different (i.e. skinnier). There seems to be several one-year or two-year types with these, so it gets to be a little confusing. Not to mention, trying to figure out the Gregorian calendar years for these! Mine's 1907. http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOREA-1907-...110952?hash=item489cab33e8:g:lNkAAOSwrklU6nYT
This is a one year type. The reason why it looks different is because this is a reduced sized of the previous half won coin. 1906 half won 1907 half won At this point of time, it looks genuine but it's better to take a photo. Luster can still tell a fair bit. I have a 20 chon coin which is of much lower value however this fooled me big time. The only reason I managed to tell is a counterfeit only after I handled at least three examples from fine to XF+ that I finally realized there were some minor details that are wrong. Photos alone weren't enough - I needed real examples. This is where even low grade examples were honestly helpful for comparison purposes. Genuine example Counterfeit example The luster immediately gives away concerns but one might brush it off as cleaned / treated with chemical.
This one came in the mail today and it's sitting in an acetone bath. 10.08 grams, approx. 27mm, and non-magnetic (specs seem to fall w/in tolerance). Obverse has trace luster, reverse has no obvious luster. In terms of mint luster, the grade will drop down from my initial thoughts. Spoiler Definitely at least XF-40, XF-45 at best, AU-50 if the coin is graded on a Friday.
Will this cause a Details grade on the reverse? I'm concerned that it's cleaned and if so I'd reconsider submitting it.
Seeing the surface (the dark areas next to the devices contrast with the lighter fields), I can understand your concern. I really hope you can get a knowledgeable answer here. Again, I'm not really into these, but my suspicion is that not just this coin, but most of these older pieces were commonly cleaned harshly enough to get a Details grade.
I think that the circumstantial evidence of the obverse showing decent luster, while the reverse has no luster is suggestive of a cleaning. But, that alone shouldn't lead a TPG to conclude that it's been cleaned, though I think that it'll cause them to look into a cleaning. The pitting and lack of luster is probably what's going to give it a Details grade. So, I'm pretty sure that it's going to be a Details grade... I'm just not sure what to do if I want to ultimately sell this coin to fund a better one. For this particular coin, is an XF Details grade by NGC/PCGS and reassurance that it's a genuine coin better than selling it raw?
I wish I knew the right answer to that... Authenticity for these older pieces is important. They do get counterfeited. I really just don't know much about the market and collector base surrounding these old Joseon coins.
To me, it does seem like there are signs of this coin being cleaned. At the same time, Imperial Korean coin prices seem to be rising at a steady rate. Strong XF+ coins as usual are always in demand and command serious prices. It has been a somewhat under appreciated market but have gone up in the last 10 years.
