Real or Fake WL half, I need help too!

n8dagr8345 · Jan 24, 2012

I have a similar problem over here with a WL I plucked last week. I have been debating back and forth if its real, or fake.
1st off, the color is very wrong
2- if you rub along the coin it feels rough where it probably shouldnt
3- It does NOT have that ping(could it be bc it was electroplated?)
4- It is NOT magnetic
5- To me, it looks wrong....

I will go scan a picture in and attach it, get your detective hat on folks!
N8

Sorry the pics do not line up- Follow the color and you can tell which coin is which!

AgentX · Jan 24, 2012

If you have a scale available or a coin shop that you trust you may want to have it weighed. I believe a WLH should be 12.5 grams.

n8dagr8345 · Jan 24, 2012

AgentX said:
If you have a scale available or a coin shop that you trust you may want to have it weighed. I believe a WLH should be 12.5 grams.

No scale or I would have weighed it already.

Generic_Lad · Jan 24, 2012

Is the date 1941 or 1921?

If its 1921 that is a key date and raises big red flags...

If it is 1941... not so much. But I really can't judge from the pictures.

n8dagr8345 · Jan 24, 2012

Generic_Lad said:
Is the date 1941 or 1921?

If its 1921 that is a key date and raises big red flags...

If it is 1941... not so much. But I really can't judge from the pictures.

1941

Canadian hunter · Jan 24, 2012

To me it looks fake. First of all coin's hue is too dark to be silver. Secondly, the wear on coin doesn't look genuine, in contrast to another WL on the picture.

That Canadian Guy · Jan 24, 2012

Some of the smaller details on the coin in question are not quite right and look different than the authentic one. To me the coin in question looks and probably is copper nickel, which would explain the non magnetic feature.
I call fakes.

SilverFace · Jan 24, 2012

it could be that it's just the result of some type of cleaning. I've had some Bens and WL's and Barbers that looked very different and similar to your coin because they had been cleaned and it does sometimes make them look like they are fake. I'd just hold onto it till you can get it weighed or have it looked at by a knowledgeable coin dealer.

Axecutioner · Jan 24, 2012

Just polish. I've seen a few that look like that when photographed.

clovis97 · Jan 25, 2012

Got a local pharmacy in your area?

Swing in, ask them to weigh it for you. Most will be happy to do so.

If your family uses Rx, it might not hurt to have them give you some prices. Our local Rx is far cheaper than the corporate stores like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart....and the money is more likely to stay in your community, unlike the mega-corporations.

fistfulladirt · Jan 25, 2012

Axecutioner said:
Just polish. I've seen a few that look like that when photographed.

Yep, someone just got crazy with the Turtlewax

BuffaloBoy · Jan 25, 2012

I don't see anything wrong with it, it is really worn, polished, and plated... probrably a real half dollar. Heck, if it isn't, big deal, i'd still keep it

brendan1414 · Jan 25, 2012

the main details are really good, just looks worn then plated is my guess. i one time purchased a box full of Wheaties and one was sealed in a holder, and when i took it out it looked JUST like your coin. worn and then plated/polished. ill have to upload it sometime.

n8dagr8345 · Jan 25, 2012

Thanks for the thoughts guys. MY big concern is this- When I flip a normal silver coin with my finger into the air, I can flip it as high as I want and it does not stop ringing loudly until I stop the vibration by catching it in my hand. This coin, makes a ping only for a very short time and does not continue to resonate... Could that be from polish? Could it be from plating(more likely)
N8

Argentium · Jan 25, 2012

N8 , I think it's real , but it looks to as though it's been plated - I have found a couple of
silver rings that were rhodium plated - they looked similar to your half , and the plating would
affect the ringing duration . Rhodium plating was not that uncommon in the fashion jewelry
world 30 /40 years ago - to prevent silver from tarnishing - your coin may have been used in a
jewelry capacity at some point . Argentium.

LeoTrench-MAINE · Jan 25, 2012

Argentium is absolutely right!!!

It is real, but plated so it will weigh more - Rhodium or Nickel.

You can still see some of the decorative gold plating on the eagle on the reverse.

It's from a money clip from the 70's -the reverse was the side that showed.

Because of the plating -you may have a little trouble selling it.

HH

Trench

Gooseman · Jan 25, 2012

Looks terribly polished to me. Seen them worse than that already. I would not worry too much, good luck though.

Jeff

Stang1968 · Jan 26, 2012

LeoTrench-MAINE said:
Argentium is absolutely right!!!

It is real, but plated so it will weigh more - Rhodium or Nickel.

You can still see some of the decorative gold plating on the eagle on the reverse.

It's from a money clip from the 70's -the reverse was the side that showed.

Because of the plating -you may have a little trouble selling it.

HH

Trench

I agree. Ex-jewelery piece. Plated and polished to death. Looks like there was adhesive on the obverse, and gold paint on the reverse.

n8dagr8345 · Jan 26, 2012

I agree with you all on the jewelry piece thought. Interestingly enough, it is extremely difficult to see the gold coloring in my house. However, the scanner light brought it out nicely. Sure wish it wasnt plated thought-
Oh well- I guess it will go in my personal collection