Fakes

Hi

I have finally take the time to share some experiences with Fakes - Replica coins in the last 2 years.

I know some of you have dark collections and interest in such coins, this is one of the purpose of the post, and also to raise awareness to new collectors out there.

Most of the coins were not directly purchased by me, and/or were part of a bulk purchase with interest of other coins so these fakes were extras and of course a surprise at first.

The largest group of coins which was meant to be my xmas gift 2 years ago by a very close family member was a terrible thing as I don't know how much money he was ask for the whole thing but I am guessing he payed too much... I never wanted to talk about it after I got the gift and realised that they were all fake with maybe 3-4 coins being real but were some low baller coins from Jordan.

Will be uploading some photos today so I am going to reserve some spaces and upload as it goes...

I have an Idea that could be useful for everyone on this website and will be to link or add information into the coins that we know are /were commonly reproduced. as the Modern Fakes section is quite hidden and the links to the actual coins in the catalog are only in 1 direction (from the modern fake to the actual coin) there could be a note that says: Fakes / Replicas known / exists.

The first coin https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces23359.html I got 18 of this one, diameter around 45mm obviously too big, but the weight range from 27.1 to 28 gr

second coin supposed to be this one? https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces1493.html I got 9 of them. they made it 80 years early only they used the same coin as the previous one with 45mm and 27.1 to 28gr

third one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces30317.html I got only 1, and the same size weight as above...

fourth one (I have no idea) a hybrid from Morgan Dollar? https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces1492.html got 1 only with 37mm and 17.84gr

and the fifth one from the USA coins will be I guess the half dollar version of the first one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces30053.html I have two with 38mm and 18.54gr

The first one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces10919.html I got two, a bit shorter with 39mm and lighter with about 19gr

the second one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces3855.html I got one, with 38mm this one really match the original size but comes short on weight at almost 18gr

and the third one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces48049.html I got four, same coin as the previous one 38mm and about 18gr

First one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces10629.html got two, 38mm and 18gr

second one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces12759.html also two with the same diameter and weigh

third one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces28335.html I got 5, same coin size as many of the fakes here listed... do you see a pattern here?

fourth one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces13915.html I got 4, guess the size and weight...

fifth one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces12503.html only 1, same as above...

sixth one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces6893.html got 2, this one is slightly bigger as the previous ones, but same weight

seventh and last one from this batch https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces12407.html same as previous coins

First one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces48920.html got 1, same size and weight as previous coins 38mm and about 18gr

second one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces80357.html I got 1, do I have to mention size and weight?

third one a hybrid? https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces25647.html https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces17142.html I got 1

fourth one I got 2 (Can someone help me with the link...)

These two I bought them at Kyoto in on of the most famous temples and a well known tourist trap, mainly for research purpose, the cost was around $5 or $8 each I think I ended up paying for 1 coin
the corrosion happened while the coins were stored in my house for about 8 months in a paper bag inside one of my cabinets... but I think the paper bag got wet during my visit in Kyoto as it was a rainy day!

First one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces18307.html the famous trade dollar...

second one https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces5505.html and they pick year (28) 1895 which is a very large minted year for this coin... so not even trying to fake a rare-difficult year.



These ones were part of a bulk purchase I did about 2-3 years ago... there were more than 400 japanese coins, and this were inside the bulk
clear replica's of 1 Ryo dont know exactly which one they were trying to copy but the link to the first 1 ryo is here https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces87745.html

I think some of those hybrid fakes are more interesting than their real coin counterparts!
I mean a Washington quarter in Crownsize with the 1865 date?

Thanks for sharing this, its very educational!

Thankfully I have only run into a few fakes. As far as I know, I've never bought one other than in bulk lots. I think I have one, I'll try to find it and get some pics.

Great thread! I've always been curious about how people get so good at spotting fakes, but I assumed we didn't talk much about it to avoid educating the counterfeiters. I can't wait to give this a good read.

Yes, the sad thing is that I feel guilty on this one as in my family they know I collect coins so things like this can happen any time as we frequently give gifts to everyone...

By the way I will be updating the information from time to time to add more details and later (during the holidays) updating each coin in the modern fakes section as well.