George III, half crown, 1817

[Saikat]

Hi,
I picked up this coin in a visit to a carboot sell during my recent visit to UK. I do not know much about the coin but as per SCWC this is a half crown. At 15 GBP, did I paid too much for this condition? More importantly. as this looks a bit underweight (13.04 gm although corroded heavily), is this coin ok?

KM# 667
Obv: Large laureate head right Legend: GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA
Rev: Crowned arms within order chain Legend: BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF:

Thanks,
Saikat

[Figleaf]

Looks OK to me. The wear may explain the weight loss, since coins are not known to diet. Price seems reasonable to me in view of condition.

Peter

[andyg]

There are fairly recent fakes of these, but as yet they have not managed to fake wear properly.  I agree with Peter, this one looks good.

[FosseWay]

Agreed, looks good to me as well.

Who would want to fake such a common coin in worn condition anyway? And if you want a fake, "real fakes", i.e. ones made at the time, are nineteen to the dozen, mostly in copper with or without silver wash.

[andyg]

Pretty sure this is a fake...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Half-crown-VICTORIA-1887-/182549191939?hash=item2a80c79d03:g:BMAAAOSw7GRZAmz3

look at the porous surfaces.

[mrbadexample]

I agree. It's quite worn so the weight seems ok, and the price not too bad. I don't see anything to suggest it's fake.

[Saikat]

Thank you all. You are most helpful.
Saikat

[Overlord]

In my experience, the typical Chinese "white metal" fakes tend to be strongly magnetic.