This page is not about how one personally can spot fakes (although it may help a little), but rather the process by which fakes in general are spotted as they entering the market and why they are normally quickly identified for what they are.
After all, you spotted that $800 Yves St. Laurent dress for only $150. You're a born bargain hunter...you should publish your own coin price guide!
Value vs. Price ...
(Not to say that standards wouldn’t be welcome and helpful.) For example, when selling or trading an elongated coin, collectors often clearly state if it is copper, zinc, circulated, BU, short roll, long roll, spotted or perfect etc...
In many cases the coins were sealed into PVC holders which normally isn't too bad for viewing and short term storage but the particular type of holders used were spotted with tiny black flecks so as a consequence every coin appeared to be spotted ...
The broken A became the key letter as its defect was more easily spotted; almost nothing was said about the less easily detected N and P defects.
Careful examination will reveal some light spotted foxing in the margins, but the paper quality is far above average. There are no water stains visible.
Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina
Verreaux's Eagle, Aquila verreauxii
Gurney's Eagle, Aquila gurneyi
Wahlberg's Eagle, Aquila wahlbergi
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax ...
Kelly: "Some years ago I spotted a common Lucius Calpurnius Piso with a reverse that looked different to the usual run of the mill.
On one of them the king is beardless, and is clad in a long close-fitting spotted robe with sleeves to the elbow and trousers to the knee.
It was first spotted in circulation by a woman sorting through her states quarters looking for errors. It has changed hands several times and finally found it's way to ANACS for certification. ANACS authenticated, certified, and graded it MS 64.
which allows people to post fakes they have spotted. Go there and enter in the identification in the search box,
or "select"
coins (wait a second while it finds that category, and then select) ...
Appearances in several numismatic publications tends to reinforce the information once it is spotted the second time, and tends to help the reader reinforce the show in his or her memory.
This coin exhibits no trace of wear but may show a number of detracting contact marks, and the surface may be spotted or lack a brilliant luster. Rims may be nicked. Eye appeal is poor.
John walked in to look at the exhibits, and the expression on his face when he spotted the two Half Dollars was something only a collector of rare coins could appreciate.
Needless to say these did not survive very well, and many spotted examples undoubtedly come from this source. While gem proof Indians are a delight, spotted low end Indians are a blight! Avoid them always! ...
In my opinion dipping of a silver coin should be done only if the piece is toned in blotches, is spotted, or is unattractive. If a coin possesses attractive patination it should not be dipped.
Although normally brilliant, with time luster may become dull, frosty, spotted or discolored.
- Milled edge - A raised rim around the outer surface of a coin. Not to be confused with the Reeded or serrated narrow edge of the coin.
when I spotted a Hopalong Cassidy cap gun which was identical to what I had as a youngster shortly after I came to America. I was born in Italy in 1944 and came to the USA in 1952.
BU / Brilliant Uncirculated
A grading term for a coin that has no trace of wear and shows a number of contact marks, spotted surfaces or breaks in the luster. Equivalent to a numerical grade of Mint State 60 to 62 on the SHELDON SCALE.
It should be mentioned that in heraldic terms a leopard is actually a lion walking left with head facing. It certainly is not spotted! The English crest of three leopards is thus really three lions.
Usually the changes (scratch marks and such) can be spotted with a good magnifying glass.
Keep in mind that only about 40 copper 1943 pennies are known to exist, and nearly all of them are in the hands of private collectors.
Uncirculated (MS-60) - Has no trace of wear but may show a number of contact marks, and surface may be spotted or lack some luster.
There are 11 species of skunks, which are divided into four genera: Mephitis (hooded and striped skunks, two species), Spilogale (spotted skunks, two species), Mydaus (stink badgers, two species), and Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks, five species).
.....
Luster - The glossy mint bloom on the surface of an Uncirculated coin. Although normally brilliant, with time luster may become dull, frosty, spotted or discolored.
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M ...
Altered
Sometimes coins are changed in an attempt to defraud collectors. Examples would be artificial toning, changing mint marks, changing dates and whizzing. These changes are usually easily spotted with the aid of a magnifying glass.
There is even a city in Upper Harz founded by ore miners called Wildemann after the legend that starts a Wild Man and Woman were spotted living in the area, The man was shot with and arrow and captured.
The glossy sheen reflected from the surface of a coin, resulting from the flow of metal caused by the striking dies. At the time of minting, the luster is at its strongest, but may fade over time, become discolored, or spotted.
We do not buy discolored, "fogged" or spotted sets (such sets will be returned at your expense). When buying from us, note that postage/insurance and handling extra - $4.50 min. for one set, add .30 cents for each additional set.
Although normally brilliant, with time lustre may become dull, spotted, or discoloured. Lustre is easily worn through with the slightest amount of circulation and strong chemical cleaners will destroy it.
to offend any portion of those who honored me with their suffrages, I have only to say to them, and to my whole country, that I prefer the deepest obscurity of private life, with an unwounded conscience, to the glare of official eminence spotted by a ...
 See also: Coin, Struck, Mint, Collector, Proof
  
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