1878-CC Trade Dollar for sale...too good to be true?

Kiros32

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I have an offer in on an 1878-CC Trade Dollar that was found by a little girl and her metal detector and now she wants to sell it to buy grandpa a birthday gift. I know I know, sounds too damn cute to be true.

My question is that federal law requires ALL copy or replica coins to be stamped with the word "COPY" or "REPLICA." Do foreign made US copy coins fall under the same requirements? If it isn't stamped "COPY" does it mean its real?

I normally don't fall for things like this, but a small part of me if asking the question what if?
 

jeff of pa

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Well First off If it was found With a metal detector it should
Have tell-tail signs that should tell
you if it's real.
Does it look like Dug silver ?


If Dug from a Mud Hole is it GRay ?

If you can answer either of these Questions with a Yes

It is almost assuredly Silver.

Plus if you know for sure she Detects that should also
be included in your Reasoning that it is most likely real.

You say little Girl ? what reason would you have to Distrust a "little Girl" ?
 

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Kiros32

Kiros32

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jeff of pa said:
Well First off If it was found With a metal detector it should
Have tell-tail signs that should tell
you if it's real.
Does it look like Dug silver ?


If Dug from a Mud Hole is it GRay ?

If you can answer either of these Questions with a Yes

It is almoast assuredly Silver.

Plus if you know for sure she Detects that should also
be included in your Reasoning that it is most likely real.

These are the photos that I was sent. I actually don't know whether this girl detects or not.
 

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jeff of pa

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Sent ? Humm now you have me Understanding.

I was going to say She would have more to worry about Being
you could Under cut her.

But at this point are you sure she is Even a little Girl ?

Was this Unsolicited By You ?

an add Locally ?
 

jeff of pa

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Dosn't look Dug to me.

But Fake or Real ???

It does appear to have Minor Damage
 

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Kiros32

Kiros32

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Well...that's the problem haha. I was a local ad, and 98% of my fairly intelligent brain is telling me that this is a scam and not to fall for it...but the other 2% is telling me that this coin does not have "COPY" or "REPLICA" stamped on it, and what if?

I suppose I could make the sale contingent on me taking it to a dealer to have it authenticated, then if the seller panics and says no, then I think I will have my answer.
 

jeff of pa

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Kiros32 said:
Well...that's the problem haha. I was a local ad, and 98% of my fairly intelligent brain is telling me that this is a scam and not to fall for it...but the other 2% is telling me that this coin does not have "COPY" or "REPLICA" stamped on it, and what if?

I suppose I could make the sale contingent on me taking it to a dealer to have it authenticated, then if the seller panics and says no, then I think I will have my answer.

You could do that But if real The Dealer will Out bid you
 

jeff of pa

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Yea there is something about the color in that Pic I don't like either.

not one Blemish for one.

but does appear to have Bag Marks

Probably only grade VG or fine at best if real
 

jeff of pa

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one Final Comment that Just came to mind :P

You could Ease Yours By

still Suggesting a Dealer look at it
with you.

If a Known Fake she/he will say no or it's sold.

& You will Know
 

BuckleBoy

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The last "8" in the date looks too large.  I think it may have been applied or re-tooled.  Some of these coins are sliced down the center, aligned, and sealed back together--so there is a "CC" mintmark with an 1878 date. 

BTW, I own a genuine 1878-CC Trade Dollar. 


My hunch is that this one is a copy.  How much is she selling it for.  I would buy it for $25 perhaps--but no more unless it is authenticated first.


What is the asking price? 


Regards,


Buckleboy
 

prospectorYorkPA

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From the looks of the pic it looks really good. Of course counterfieted coins would not have copy stamped on them and that was common with the trade dollars. First thing I would do is know the weight. Should be 27.22 grams. Being a low mintage coin, I'd certainly be cautious.
Purchase on a coin of this type should be contigent on having it verified in some way. And since it's local, a visit by buyer and seller to a good coin dealer would be a good idea. Good luck with it.
 

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Kiros32

Kiros32

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UPDATE

I looked up the email address of the person selling it, and he/she has -3 feedback on Yahoo auctions, so apparently this person is a crook. I believe me hunch was correct that this is a scam.

The asking price was $70 BTW
 

jeff of pa

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I sold a Trade Dollar I found for $100.00 in '99

Back then I took it to a Dealer with the Buyer
out of fear I was asking too much.

I didn't tell him what I was asking
just his opinion.

The dealer said although the value of it at the time a 77 plain
was only worth $75 he felt I shouldn't sell it for less then $100
which made both us happy.


but that was definately a real one.
 

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Kiros32

Kiros32

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af1733 said:
BuckleBoy said:
Kiros32 said:
BuckleBoy said:
BTW, I own a genuine 1878-CC Trade Dollar.

Nice, did you find it or buy it?

Bought... :-[ $$$
Did you actually meet the little girl? Did she place the ad in the paper herself?

It was a craigslist ad, here is the wording:

"My daughter found this coin with her metal detector near the school for the deaf and her teacher let her keep it, now she would like to sell it.

It's the exact same size of an Eisenhower Silver dollar that I have.

Please make an offer, she wanted to use the money to buy a birthday gift for her grandfather.

I will respond to all offers that provide complete contact information." END


I have found some great deals on craigslist...bought a whole coin collection for $100 that had 3 Morgans, 2 Peace, about 50 buffalo nickels, a few Mercs, and an 1899 Silver Thaler...and many more than I wont list including wheats and such.

I thought I would inquire about this just in case it was legit and they really didn't know what they had lol
 

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