Weight of William and Mary Shilling - possible fake

[Guest nigel]

Hi

I purchased a few coins on ebay from a seller. Have since discovered that one was definitely a fake having been alerted about it by another ebayer and I invested in a set of digital scales to weight it. I have now received a refund for that coin.

I have another coin from this seller - a William & Mary shilling dated 1693 which I am concerned about. Can anyone tell me the correct weight for this coin so I can check it on the scales. Is there a coin book that gives the weight of coins as my Spink catalogue does not show the weights. Thanks for your assistance.

Regards,

Nigel

[Rob]

Hi

I purchased a few coins on ebay from a seller. Have since discovered that one was definitely a fake having been alerted about it by another ebayer and I invested in a set of digital scales to weight it. I have now received a refund for that coin.

I have another coin from this seller - a William & Mary shilling dated 1693 which I am concerned about. Can anyone tell me the correct weight for this coin so I can check it on the scales. Is there a coin book that gives the weight of coins as my Spink catalogue does not show the weights. Thanks for your assistance.

Regards,

Nigel

Shillings should be 6g, though a couple of basis points either side should not raise any concerns. Say a range of 5.98-6.02g with the caveat that if it is no better than a washer, the weight might be below this depending on the wear.

[Colin G.]

"if it is no better than a washer"

Love the quote Rob, one I will definitely use in the future

[Guest nigel]

Thanks rob

This coin weighs in at 5.4gms. It is not that worn so assume I assume it is probably also a fake. Purchased this over 45 days ago on ebay so might have some problems in getting a refund. Part of my learning curve I suppose!!

Regards,

Nigel

[Rob]

Thanks rob

This coin weighs in at 5.4gms. It is not that worn so assume I assume it is probably also a fake. Purchased this over 45 days ago on ebay so might have some problems in getting a refund. Part of my learning curve I suppose!!

Regards,

Nigel

Who did you buy it from? There are a few vendors on ebay currently selling casts but not advertising their status.

10% underweight is a likely weight for pewter (lead/tin alloy). Pure tin would be about 30% down, pure lead 20% over - both are ish numbers.

[Guest nigel]

Hi Rob

At the moment I wouldn't want to publish the sellers identity online. The seller does not pretend to be a coin expert and she sells all her coins under the description 'medieval' even though most are post charles I/milled coins. She has refunded at least two other ebayers (nice guys who contacted me) and assume that she is paying refunds out of new sales. I suppose not everyone requests a refund when they get sold a fake. Where do they buy a plentiful supply of fakes?

Kind regards,

Nigel

Thanks rob

This coin weighs in at 5.4gms. It is not that worn so assume I assume it is probably also a fake. Purchased this over 45 days ago on ebay so might have some problems in getting a refund. Part of my learning curve I suppose!!

Regards,

Nigel

Who did you buy it from? There are a few vendors on ebay currently selling casts but not advertising their status.

10% underweight is a likely weight for pewter (lead/tin alloy). Pure tin would be about 30% down, pure lead 20% over - both are ish numbers.

[Colin G.]

Nigel,

Do you have any images, there will undoubtedly be someone on here who will be able to give you an educated guess at its authenticity. I know there are some very good fakes out there, but they can usually be picked out.

I know there is a very good site somewhere which details known fakes and identifying features, but I can't find the link at the moment. This may be more aimed at ancient coins, but I think they did cover other fakes.

[Rob]

Hi Rob

At the moment I wouldn't want to publish the sellers identity online. The seller does not pretend to be a coin expert and she sells all her coins under the description 'medieval' even though most are post charles I/milled coins. She has refunded at least two other ebayers (nice guys who contacted me) and assume that she is paying refunds out of new sales. I suppose not everyone requests a refund when they get sold a fake. Where do they buy a plentiful supply of fakes?

Kind regards,

Nigel

Presumably an honest answer. You don't need to know about coins per se, just how to identify a potential good selling product and make casts. It isn't rocket science that any high grade (but obviously not perfect) item on ebay will attract bidding attention. Even a half decent one in lower grade will sell for far more than the cost of making a cast.

Edited February 9, 2010 by Rob

[Peter]

Hi Rob

At the moment I wouldn't want to publish the sellers identity online. The seller does not pretend to be a coin expert and she sells all her coins under the description 'medieval' even though most are post charles I/milled coins. She has refunded at least two other ebayers (nice guys who contacted me) and assume that she is paying refunds out of new sales. I suppose not everyone requests a refund when they get sold a fake. Where do they buy a plentiful supply of fakes?

Kind regards,

Nigel

Thanks rob

This coin weighs in at 5.4gms. It is not that worn so assume I assume it is probably also a fake. Purchased this over 45 days ago on ebay so might have some problems in getting a refund. Part of my learning curve I suppose!!

Regards,

Nigel

Who did you buy it from? There are a few vendors on ebay currently selling casts but not advertising their status.

10% underweight is a likely weight for pewter (lead/tin alloy). Pure tin would be about 30% down, pure lead 20% over - both are ish numbers.

I've noticed her auctions which people are falling for...I won't name and shame as Nigel wants his refund but if you see a George 11 shilling being described as a medieval hammered coin AVOID...some of the actual hammered are duping a lot of experienced Ebayers

[choolie]

Can anyone recommend an electronic scale? I want it to be accurate enough for coins but I will probably use it to weigh parcels aswell so I want it to be capable of measuring heavier Items.

Thanks

[Chris Perkins]

I don't think you'll find one, as when they are really sensitive they only have a small range. E.g. I sell one that copes with up to 60g in 0.01 increments, or one that goes up to 150g in 0.1 increments. For a 0.01g or 0.1g that also weighs 2kg or over I think you'd be looking at a very expensive bit of kit.

[Rob]

Can anyone recommend an electronic scale? I want it to be accurate enough for coins but I will probably use it to weigh parcels aswell so I want it to be capable of measuring heavier Items.

Thanks

I'm not sure electronic scales are the answer here. You need a small accurate one for coins which will weigh up to say 150g, but two decimal places is a must in my opinion. Over that the kitchen scales will suffice. The Post Office doesn't take particular care where they dump their deliveries, so the likelihood of them needing a weight to two decimal places beggars belief.

Edited February 10, 2010 by Rob

[choolie]

Can anyone recommend an electronic scale? I want it to be accurate enough for coins but I will probably use it to weigh parcels aswell so I want it to be capable of measuring heavier Items.

Thanks

I'm not sure electronic scales are the answer here. You need a small accurate one for coins which will weigh up to say 150g, but two decimal places is a must in my opinion. Over that the kitchen scales will suffice. The Post Office doesn't take particular care where they dump their deliveries, so the likelihood of them needing a weight to two decimal places beggars belief.

lol. yes the dirt on those footprints I get all over my mail must add a gramme or so.