Is This 1809 Half Cent Legit?

Hey there, I just bought this Half Cent and not very experienced with this series or coin collecting in general ( especially identifying errors or fakes).

Few things that were strange to me: the "L" in LIBERTY looks funny and the date looks rubbed or something.

Questions: Is it real and what grade would you give it? Also I've noticed this year has like 3 type of punched date, which is this one? Thanks.

 

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I am leaning toward fake, the rim looks wrong. But dont take my word for it. wait till more knowledgable people chime in.

 

IMO, weak details and a porous surface; a cast copy fake perhaps?

-LTB

 

I'm also leaning towards fake, it doesn't look right...

 

I'd say it's a fake , look at the letters , there fat and mushy . I wouldn't touch it . Look even on a weakly struck genuine coine how the details differ .

 

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Thanks people, even though I dislike what y'all are telling me haha.

Hey rzage that pic you posted is of a one cent, does it and the half cent supposed to look alike?

 

I wouldn't touch it. The color is off (although the white balence could be off in the photo). The surface is granular. Something about the details is not quite right. And the dark stuff around the stars, date and lettering is troubling. (Counterfeiters are known to use dark gunk to hide some of their mistakes.)

Where did you get the coin or where is the coin beig offered?

 

I bought it in an auction. So probably no dice on getting any money back. When I first started this hobby a few months ago, I was told how easy it was to get burnt and guess this may be my first lesson.

 

I would recommend that you take the coin to a respected dealer. Rather than simply asking, "Is this real?" I would ask, "What do you think of this coin?"

 

Here's my 1809 half cent

 

Well I'm in a coin club here in my town, so I may just ask someone there at our next meeting. Also we are having our annual Coin Show this weekend, so that'd be a good opportunity.

 

Almost every fake 1/2 cent I've seen has problems with the "L", and many look like yours. IMHO, this coin is 100% fake.

 

It's definitely a new Chinese counterfeit. I have seen these before.

Can you return it?

 

I agree with the other guys monsta, it looks wrong to me too. Sorry!

Bruce

 

Hmm I doubt it. You know all them policies they tell you before any auction about no returns. I'm going to ask around first though.

 

The hair looks off to me

 

I know its been said, that it does look like a fake. Here is yours and mine for comparison.



Notice some differences in the hair, the shoulder area, and the date. That's just the obverse.

ALSO: I have been burned in auctions as well (non-ebay). Received counterfit coins. So don't feel too bad. Lesson learned for sure.

 

If it was ebay - you can still return it.

 

The 1809 half cent actually has a slightly different design than the 1834 half cent. In all 1809 varieties, the top star on the left side is much closer to the curl above the forehead.

http://www.coinfacts.com/half_cents/1809_half_cent_varieties/1809_half_cent_varieties.htm