I thought the same on the high price of that card, but maybe her autograph on it was that valuable? I will say the few faked items I've seen are in the way of the old west collectibles outside all the fake Rolex watches, one such as an Apache rifles all done up with brass buttons and cut down. I had in my hand one that had a value of $2500. and it was just so easy to spot as a fake as I pointed out to the seller the pot metal cast trigger it had, but he was sure of his claim, boy did he get took, but I think he was trolling for suckers. and they're enough buyers with the money on hand who don't know what their looking at to pull a fast one on as they can easily get caught up in the lure of the old west and owning an artifact from those times would sure give them something to brag about. Here is how I'd say the connection of your coin could have ended up in your hands. Buffalo Bills show did go to Europe, I'm not sure when, but they did go over there in the late 19th early 20th century?... If your granddad some how came by that show as he worked in Europe he very well may have received the coin then. I would think his trade of a circus roustabout may have been one following any type circus or traveling show as that would be how he made a living. I will say that coin sure looks like it could be the real deal and your story sure sounds good to me so far. Maybe post your story in the "what is its" also? They love to hunt info on items like yours. I would mention the name of your granddad also so it could possibly be proven he was in Europe at the time the Wild West show was over in Europe. Its not at all hard to find names of passengers listed on ships going to and from Europe in those times. For all you know maybe the name of your granddad will be found traveling to Europe with Buffalos Bills show, but I don't know if Annie Oakley went along on that trip? ... Oh yeah it would be very dumb to clean that coin. The patina may help to prove things. Good luck finding a value and the truth of it! I find you have a very interesting item.
Indeed the stamping I would think is a major clue to authenticity. Items like a coin shot and stamped wouldn't be all that hard to duplicate. I'm a little uneasy of that green patina on this coin in question as that type of enhancement can be duplicated and is very often done to items of copper, brass & bronze to give it the look of age and then be past off as a rare find. Do It Yourself Patina Formulas It'll be a tough mission to prove that this artifact is a genuine Annie Oakley artifact. I do hope it pans out for this fellow, but won't be surprised if it doesn't. Good Point, allen_IdWell, it is a 1899 British Queen Victoria Penny. And Annie Oakley did stamp and shoot some of those as well as American pennies to sell as souvenirs. But yours does raise some red flags.
Mostly, I am concerned about your penny because of the stamping.
Compared to other examples of souvenir Annie Oakley coins, the orientation of the stamping does not match. Normally, the A. Oakley would be arranged similar to this:
You can also see that the font of the stamps used on your coin do not match the font that was normally used for souvenirs from her show. Huge red flag.
