Got some new coins today. Are they real?

[thecrazyone]

Picked up a coin listed as an 1803 half cent, looks and feels real, looks like it might even be 1802 rather than 1803.

Also got an 1822 large cent, sure feels real, its weight and metal match my 1842 large cent, so I'm hoping it's legit.

Can anyone tell me specific details to look for?

I also got a shield nickel with rays for $5!! They had 2, I'm tempted to go back and get the second one!

[thecrazyone]

I've been reading up on these all night, and am about nauseous with all of the counterfeit reports, especially about those coins being counterfeitted by the Chinese.... WTF??!! I'm not aware of us doing that to THEIR money, so why in the he** are they doing that to US?? My God..

[Changechecker]

Pictures would help. There are enough experienced members who can offer advice to authenticate them. Worst case you learned a lesson and hopefully it wasn't an expensive one.

[thecrazyone]

I can't upload pics bc this site always tells me they're too big

The 1803 was $25. It's very worn, but looks like it might have the counterfeit neck gouge mark

[highroller4321]

Upload them to flickr and then post the links here.

[galenrog]

Or reduce the size of the pics prior to uploading. If my grandchildren can do it, you can too.

Time for more coffee.

[thecrazyone]

The problem is, I have the pics on my smartphone and don't know how to resize them on it. If I were on my pc, it would have been done by now.

[thecrazyone]

Here's the 1803. Online I'm seeing that the neck gouges infer counterfeit.

[thecrazyone]

Here's the back:

[TheJonasCollegeFund]

Looks like environmental damage from the ground. My guess is real. Did you weigh it?

[thecrazyone]

That is great news, thanks!

The web says it weighs 5.44 grams. I will have to see where I can weigh it bc I don't have that kind of scale.

[thecrazyone]

On a plain digital scale, the coin weighs .01 lbs. That converts to 4.536 grams. So, that means it has lost .90 g in over 200 yrs in wear. Does that sound accurate/possible?

[Contradiction]

Is there a reason you don't want to take the actual coin to a local coin shop and get their assessment?

[thecrazyone]

Is there a reason you don't want to take the actual coin to a local coin shop and get their assessment?

Not really, no. I bought it from a coin and sports collectibles shop, so I'd like to think it's authentic. I don't frequent local coin shops much so, I never really thought about taking it to another one for review.