Japan 2 Shu - Do you think it is what it says it is?

[OneBiteAtATime]

Do any of you obsolete/historic guru's think this is what it says it is?

Think it'd make a fun KSA?

[uthminsta]

Think it'd make a fun KSA?

I bid a dollar whatever it is!

[OneBiteAtATime]

Think it'd make a fun KSA?

I bid a dollar whatever it is!

Now, now. We still have an hour and fifteen before I can make it official....

[uthminsta]

Yeah, I know. I have never seen one before, so I hope to hear from some of the real experts here. Question is, have you tested it? Or do you have a place (coin shop, jewelry store, etc) that you could take it to be tested (hopefully without ruining any numismatic value it might have)?

[OneBiteAtATime]

Yeah, I know. I have never seen one before, so I hope to hear from some of the real experts here. Question is, have you tested it? Or do you have a place (coin shop, jewelry store, etc) that you could take it to be tested (hopefully without ruining any numismatic value it might have)?

I can test it, but don't really want to scratch it down the old abrasive dealio. If it's real it should be roughly 20% Au and 80% Ag. Curious to see if it looks real to the HARD CORE GURU's and if they've ever heard of one being faked. It doesn't look like the numismatic value is that high. They seem to go for around $65 on FeeBay and I saw one that was graded that went around $125. Probably not worth faking.

[wheatie_fan]

1. I see no reason to say it is not genuine. My reference has the dates listed as 1860-1869 and a weight of 0.75grams. I'd at least get an accurate weight.

2. If you wanted a better assessment, you should provide clear pictures bigger than 80x130pixels!

3. I disagree with "Probably not worth faking", especially as you value it at $65+. There are plentiful fakes of common coins that are valued at far less, like Morgan Dollars or Standing Liberty Quarters. The fact that it's a foreign coin that Americans don't understand probably makes it more likely to be counterfeited. That being said, I've seen lots of fakes of Chinese/Korean/Japanese coins, but none yet of this type. But I am no expert. See point #2.

4. A key component of determining authenticity is where and how you acquired it. "I got it from a dealer at a coin show who really knows his stuff" is a lot different than "I got it at the flea market from some sucker who only wanted $5 for it!". . .

-wheatiefan

[Lemon Thrower]

color does not look like real gold to me - just a gut feeling.

[Copper Catcher]

I have bought and sold several of these before. I have seen some obvious fakes too i.e. like the gold was half off. Neat little bars...Thanks for sharing the picture..Regardless if real or fake it is worth a bid.

[Country]

These should weigh in at 0.75g. They were minted in an alloy made up of SILVER (.771 fine) and GOLD (.229 fine). These pieces were Samurai GOLD.

A clear larger scan of the coin would help to determine its authenticity.

Here's another one:

[OneBiteAtATime]

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I owned it for about a week and then blew it out on eBay. If it isn't bullion, it doesn't sit around the OBAAT household too long. Got 37.99 for it. Picked it up for $5 at auction.

Pretty sure it was authentic, I did a BUNCH of digging around before I listed it. Don't want that reputation. The best part of this is that USPS has managed to misplace this thing somewhere.............

[SilverEye]

Would you mind telling us what auction?

[OneBiteAtATime]

Would you mind telling us what auction?

Sure! In my town every Thursday.

Don't think it would be worth the roadtrip for most, but if you do come, I'll be the guy in jeans or slacks.

[uthminsta]

if you do come, I'll be the guy in jeans or slacks.

Are you the only one wearing pants at all? I need to check this auction out!

[OneBiteAtATime]

if you do come, I'll be the guy in jeans or slacks.

Are you the only one wearing pants at all? I need to check this auction out!

Just sayin, Aaron, there are a LOT of scottish folks in Quincy.... haunting really.....