Joseph M Pankiewicz, you are a disgrace to this hobby!

[barrysloate]

Steve- you should be able to detect an added mintmark pretty easily. But a laser that simply smoothed light scratches out of the surface of a coin could be a whole lot tougher.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Steve- you should be able to detect an added mintmark pretty easily. But a laser that simply smoothed light scratches out of the surface of a coin could be a whole lot tougher.

Yes, it's harder. But I read an article on how they detect it, and it's a matter of the flow of the metal being different between coining where the flow is generally out from the center, and the laser which just melts the high spots.

Under 10x it might not be visible, but much higher magnification makes the flow lines and grain structure of the metal visible.

Still pretty worrisome for anyone buying an expensive coin that's not graded, or that was graded earlier.


And yes, the added mintmark was pretty easy to spot. Typical solder job with the coin roughed up a bit in that area then polished and slightly re-tarnished. It was a Half too, a 1921-D. Not high grade, Maybe fine.

Steve B

[Peter_Spaeth]

All this fraud restores my faith in humanity.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I am told by a Board member that Joe P. is set up at the Valley Forge show, in case anyone wants to drop by and shoot the breeze.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

in case anyone wants to drop by and shoot the breeze.

Or in case they have a card they want to enhance the appearance of

[botn]

Looks like Rick will be set up as well.

[Cardboard Junkie]

I hope the Feds show up too!