| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 927 |
|
|
New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Hello! I am a silversmith and refiner, and saw 4 1914 Fatman coins up for auction. Non magnetic, and based on my experience, they sound like high% silver and have the characteristics of same, haven't tested them because I want to avoid even microscopic damage until I've confirmed they're fake. I got them because, worst case, I paid less than silver scrap value and can refine them for whatever silver they have. They all appear to be fake based on measurements and weight, but I'd like confirmation before I melt down what might be coins forged over a century ago. Diameters are all within 44mm range Weights are 29.1g, 29.1g 30g, 29.4g They seem weirdly consistently inconsistent, I know they should be range of 26-27g, but if there were some hypothetical mint that cast them at 29-30g, this would be the variation I'd think would possibly indicate genuine coins. Collection of fake coins from different fake mints maybe? Picked them up from an estate sale, so no history available. Additionally, scales have been checked for precision. Also, ignore my dirty fingers, been playing with chemicals and fire :) Thanks for the help :) I'm like 99% sure they're fake, but I know enough about these coins to know I don't know anything. At all. So any thoughts are welcome. Pictures 29.1g, 44.7 mm    29.1g, 44.6 mm    29.4g, 44.8 mm    30.0g, 44.7 mm    |
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion )
Searched 6.5 +/- Million Cents Since 1971
|
|
Moderator
United States
157700 Posts |
 to the Community!
|
|
Moderator
United States
32709 Posts |
@cal, any chance of you doing a specific gravity determination? I have found that useful in the past: http://goccf.com/t/397629Also, welcome to CCF. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
|
|
Moderator
United States
21723 Posts |
rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
|
|
New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Interesting reading (and I wish I had a Sigma Metalytics Precious Metal verifier - specific gravity came out in ranges of 7.5-7.7 for all 4. All 4 were 2.40-2.45mm thick - weight range may be due to inconsistent alloys used in counterfeiting, I'm guessing?
I'm guessing, based on the spec grav being so far from 10, that they're
A: Fake
B: Less silver than I was expecting (if any)
Would that be accurate? I've come here a few times for information on some older coins I've come across, but still a bit out of my depth.
Also, thanks for the welcomes (long time listener, first time caller :) and the helpful link!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
3675 Posts |
I would be very very surprised if they are struck in silver. Chances are they might be struck in nickel - copper alloy. There are no such 5 yuan coin struck. This is an example.  My partial coin collection http://www.omnicoin.com/collection/gxseriesMy numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htmRegularly updated at least once a month. |
|
Moderator
United States
64158 Posts |
Interesting coins here. But if you are handling possible old or rare coins, gloves would be protcol here, especially if: Quote:
Also, ignore my dirty fingers, been playing with chemicals and fire the chemicals on your hands will transfer to the coins.
|
|
Moderator
United States
32709 Posts |
Quote:
I'm guessing, based on the spec grav being so far from 10, that they're
A: Fake
B: Less silver than I was expecting (if any) Yes based on my best understanding, that is accurate.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
If you are a silversmith. it follows that you have access to XRF testing, and you need to know the workability of the silver? alloy you are working with.
If you are going to melt them, then file a tiny piece off, and do an XRF test on what you may find in the bare metal below the file marks.
Before filing. do an XRF test first; - that should help to prove either way, if they have a silver surfacing or otherwise.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Singapore
631 Posts |
100% fake, don't even think about it, melt them.
There's no such coin as a YSK 5 Yuan!
|
|
Moderator
Australia
16181 Posts |
As noted above by others, they are claiming to be 5 yuan (5 dollar) coins, and China never issued a silver $5 coin - and if they did, and were made at the same time as and to the same standard as their silver dollars, they should weigh over 100 grams. I would be extremely surprised if there were any silver content at all in these coins. The Chinese fakemasters do sometimes make actual silver fakes, but these are all "numismatic fakes" with are then sold on ebay or elsewhere for far more than their silver content. The flea market specials like these are always 0% silver. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 927 |
|
Posted 08/02/2023 4:52 pm
