Fake private countermarks

[bagerap]

Just spotted these and I think that it's odds-on that they're fakes. Too much trouble has been taken to age them'

Defaced Coins Irish Political Counter Stamped X4 #4 | eBay

[brandm24]

You're right, they're fakes.

These same four coins were listed some time ago and didn't sell. He's brought them back and at 80 Pounds won't sell this time either. This seller is one of the "serial fakers" who's been at it for several years. He's calmed down in the last year or so, but still offers a coin or two once in awhile.

There's another one from Cumbria, but he's moved from Troubles coins (poor ones at that) to "Votes For Women" counterstamps. Again, obvious fakes. Of about a dozen or so currently up for auction, there's only one example that I think is legitimate and it's not his.

It's a shame, but that's what collectors have to deal with today. Thanks for pointing these out to me.

Bruce

[Figleaf]

Would it have any effect to point this out to eBay?

Peter

[brandm24]

Would it have any effect to point this out to eBay?

Peter

Probably not, Peter.I know they're fakes but doubt I could make a convincing argument to eBay...even if they would listen. Older bogus pieces ...19th century...are easier to spot, but Troubles examples exhibit much subtler markers.

 I've got a picture file of 60 or 70 fake stamps I've seen over the past few years. I've actually come across two or three hundred, but these are the worst examples. I have my own set of criteria that I've shared with other collectors, but haven't taken it any further.

When I get the chance, I'll post a few pictures from my file.

Bruce

Bruce

[brandm24]

I wanted to post pictures of a few of the fakes I've seen. These are good representative examples.

The "IRA" coin is a good example of someone trying too hard to make one look "home made" The combination of chisel (?) marks and punches is ridiculous. It would take an effort to make a coin look so bad.

The "Troops Out" lettering has been artificially colored. This type of alteration generally shows missing spots and a clumpy application of a substance that imitates the natural accumulation over time of gunk in the letters. The surface has also been cleaned in an effort to remove excess toning agent. This whole coin just looks artificial.

The "IRA All The Way" coin also has artificially filled lettering and has been doctored overall. The surfaces look unnatural. The overly jumbled slogan is another effort at deception. This is an old method used by fakers going back many years to forge counterstamps on coins The slogan on this one is also suspect...sounds more like a cheerleader's chant at a high school football game than an actual political statement.

Bruce

[brandm24]

This is an interesting fake of an early American political counterstamp. There's at least one additional fake known besides the one pictured here but I haven't seen it. As stated in the attached , a photograph of the steel punch that was used to strike the originals was discovered quite by accident by two researchers; Dr. Gregory Brunk and Robert Merchant. It had resided in the Kansas Historical Society Museum for a few years before its discovery by these two men. See the history here.

 NEW RESEARCH ON THE VOTE THE LAND FREE COUNTERSTAMP

The first picture is an original example while the second is an obvious fake. Also attached is an image of the original steel punch used to strike these coins.

Bruce

[brandm24]

This is a modern copy of the "Vote The Land Free" issues. I don't call it a fake as there's no intent to deceive anyone...after all it's struck on a late date Kennedy Half Dollar.

I also know the man who struck this coin...and other modern issues as well... and know he's very careful about being sure everyone knows his pieces are present day counterstamps. The workmanship displayed here is of the highest quality.

Bruce