Higley Copper - Real?

[Project12]

I dont have it in my hand yet, so my pictures are limited... I am buying it tomorrow. I just happened on a listing. I dont know much about coins, but found this forum.

This is from someone who cleans out estates in the Westchester and Connecticut area, if that helps. I had never heard of a higley copper until today, when I saw a listing for "old deer coin".

 

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[Johncoho]

If it is the real deal, it could be worth some big bucks. I would have a coin expert check it out before buying.

 

[Project12]

I have until tomorrow afternoon to grab it from him, claims to have many offers for it - but I was first to respond, I replied seconds after his post went up by chance.

Is it worth a 2 hour commute to see the coin and look for any telltale signs?

He is asking for a very reasonable amount, if it is the real deal. So much so, I am almost positive he is unaware of what it is. So low, I'm hesitant to say. If it is an older reproduction - I dont think it was purposely aged. He tried to sell it to me, along with a bunch of wrestling action figures, and other nonsense one would find in an attic.

The only thing that makes me think real, is that he clears out estates in Connecticut.

 

[smokeythecat]

One in that grade should bring no less than $50,000. If he's selling it for a few hundred or a couple thousand, you have your answer.

The deer does not look right. On the originals the eye and antlers and nose are quite sharp. This example is not sharp. This one's letters are somewhat rounded. The originals are sharp. This looks like a cast copy. Just my opinion. Take a look at reputable websites tonight and compare.

I would run away very fast.

 

[secondstar]

I’m not an expert by any means, but you’ll want to find out what the coin should weigh and then bring a scale with you tomorrow. It might not be a bad idea to bring a magnet either... I tend to be a “buyer beware” type, but you never know, maybe tomorrow is your lucky day!

 

[coinman123]

It looks like a cast copy to me. The details are way too soft and sloppy to be struck. With coins this rare and valuable, unless you are experienced and can confidently spot a fake, don't buy unless they are certified by a grading company.

 

[Megalodon]

Why is the seller in such a rush to sell? If genuine, it should be certified and then sold at auction.

Compare with pics of known genuine examples as well as the cast copies.

 

[Project12]

Thanks for saving me the time!!

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice piece!!!

 

[dirtdigginfool]

I'm definitely NOT the expert that others are on this forum, and I respect their input and opinions. Question, what is a cast copy worth? Bought cheap enough, it still could be a decent collectible. And... just because he's a "guy that cleans out estates", don't mistake any...plea of ignorance, I mean, those guys know when they find something significant and they do their research. Either way, good luck and buyer beware. Ddf.

 

[Plumbata]

Clearly a cast copy, and apparently an exact match to these replica coins:



From: https://coinreplicas.com/product/higley-copper-broad-axe-1737/

"Mysteriously" *cough cough* the area where "COPY" was stamped is covered with that goofy tarlike substance. Pure coincidence I'm sure... Good thing you checked before wasting your time, gas, and money!

 

[CASPER-2]

many copies and not hard to get rid of theword copy and refinish to make look genuine
id have guy sign something and have a notary witness it to protect myself if it proves to be a fake

 

[arrow86]

I’d say Plumbata nailed it , it’s a copy

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very interesting coin!

IMHO: I believe it is a copy as plumbata displayed in his post. Perhaps the black tar(?) was placed to deceive the buyer?