ACEF: Coin Counterfeiters Using Same Cert Numbers Multiple Times

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Recent examples of fake "certified" Morgan and Peace dollars have been found with the same certification numbers on the encapsulation inserts, cautions the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org).

Fake Morgans with matching certs
The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation warns that fake “certified” Morgan and Peace dollars, such as these 1881-CC Morgans, have been found with the same certification numbers on the encapsulation inserts. (Photo credit: Donn Pearlman.)

"Unsuspecting buyers may find that the cert number perfectly matches the coin when they look it up on a legitimate authentication company’s website, but counterfeiters are spewing out multiple fakes of some coins and repeatedly using a real cert number in fake holders with fake certification inserts," said Doug Davis, ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Director. "Unfortunately, we’re also seeing an increase in the number of ‘encapsulated’ counterfeits without identical cert numbers."

Recent examples of fakes using the same cert numbers include counterfeit 1881-CC Morgan dollars with fake PCGS certification as MS64 and counterfeit 1921 High Relief Peace dollars with fake PCGS certification as MS64.

Fake Peace dollars same certs
These fake 1921 High Relief Peace dollars are examples of counterfeit coins in counterfeit holders with the same certification numbers. (Photo credit: Donn Pearlman.)

Davis said ACEF and its all-volunteer Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force recently received an alert from a long-time collector in Oklahoma who saw a suspicious 1911 $10 Eagle and 1907 $20 Double Eagle, both purportedly in PCGS holders, advertised on Craigslist. Subsequent examination by PCGS authenticators indicated both the coins and holders are counterfeit.

Fake 1911 Indian Head Eagle
This fake 1911 Indian Head Eagle is one of the suspected counterfeits an Oklahoma collector saw advertised on Craigslist. (Photo courtesy of Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation.)
Fake 1907 Liberty Head Double Eagle
A collector in Oklahoma saw this counterfeit 1907 Liberty Head Double Eagle advertised on Craigslist. (Photo courtesy of Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation.)

 

Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) have deactivated at least temporarily some certification numbers from their cert verification services because of the unauthorized use of the numbers on known counterfeits appearing in the marketplace, according to Davis who is working with ANACS, NGC, and PCGS authentication services to fight the fakes.

"It is becoming increasingly alarming to see these types of counterfeits being introduced into the marketplace. NGC and PCGS have worked closely with ACEF/ACTF in authenticating coins sent to them for their review and expert opinion. If a coin/slab is found to be counterfeit NGC and PCGS flag the cert number," said Davis, a former Texas Police Chief.

"The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is tracking hundreds of websites selling fakes, many of them apparently operated by the same individuals or companies, but often under different company names. We have been placing test orders to learn about new fakes and scams so the public can be alerted," explained Davis.

Davis will attend the 2023 Central States Numismatic Society convention and coin show in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, April 27-30, to meet with collectors and dealers. He will have an educational display with examples of counterfeit rare coins and bullion items sold in the marketplace.

"Counterfeiters are getting smarter, and the technology is getting more sophisticated, so it is extremely important that collectors and the general public buy from knowledgeable, reputable professional dealers or the financial losses could be devastating," advised Davis. "Remember, if you don’t know precious metals or rare coins, you’d better know a reputable seller, such as experts affiliated with the Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (www.APMDdealers.org) or the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org). Members of both PNG and APMD must follow a strict code of ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise."

"The important work of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and its volunteer task force of rare coin and precious metals experts is supported entirely by donations," explained ACEF Executive Director Robert Brueggeman. "The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation, and all donations are tax deductible."

For additional information, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation by phone at 817-723-7231, by email at info@ACEFonline.org, or visit the website at www.ACEFonline.org.

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Dazed and Coinfused

I wonder what the bids are up to on that auction site for these duplicates. In other news, I’d laugh my butt off if that Sally ride quarter/ nickel turns out to be made of lead.

Also, I wonder how many were bought from magic mike that used to be fiji coins. Lmao. And that’s why I pay the premium, buy from mint, and leave it unopened so I know my stuff is real.

Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike. Guess what day it iiiiissss. HUMP Day

Dazed and Coinfused

Just imagine how many bags of rocks chase has graded ms70. But technically, you could determine the weight and size in the case. I’m sure the cases all weigh almost exact same. And as far as I can tell the clear presentation window doesn’t magnify or reduce coin size. You may not be able to put calipers on it for exact but you can measure case width, then from side to approximate side of coin, do same to other side. Subtract that and you get your diameter. Heck you can even caliper the case to be more exact. But theoretically… Read more »

Dazed and Coinfused

I suppose you are right. Why else did China just accuse Perth mint of selling 99.92 gold vs 99.95 or whatever the final digit was. Depending on the additive it would cause issues, like corrosion or odd toning. A thin piece of metal. I suppose they could recycle Hershey kiss wrapper and stuff between 2 labels, or use single label of thicker paper. Maybe that thicker slab you refer to is why they found it. I didn’t say all slabs weigh the same. I even said to use similar case. Weight should be close, but if way off it should… Read more »

Dazed and Coinfused

I call dibs on the gold coins they find with chocolate in it. MS 70 taste better. But ironically, Hershey kiss wrapped in a silver foil and tastes way better. But aluminum. Truth stranger than fiction.

Dazed and Coinfused

Wasn’t there a big warning about metals in dark chocolate a few weeks back? And there is a huge blithe on the environment from all the cadmium in the water. I can see the Cadmiumbury creme eggs Easter bunny commercials now

Dazed and Coinfused

Pangolin, bats, and whatever else couldn’t outrun the bullet or bb

Dazed and Coinfused

Are these from the tombstone hoard? Lolololololololololololol

Aw man. They just write themselves.

Dazed and Coinfused

Toupee, I mean touche. You covered a lot without splitting too many hairs.

Dazed and Coinfused

Could at least place the date at 6 o’clock position. Maybe that’s why they are called crooks.

Dazed and Coinfused

Davis will attend the 2023 Central States Numismatic Society convention and coin show in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, April 27-30, to meet with collectors and dealers. He will have an educational display with examples of counterfeit rare coins and bullion items sold in the marketplace.

Call it a hunch, can’t quite put my finger on it. Something my gut telling me, not bad sushi, but uh… don’t think he gonna set up near that quarter/ nickel.

Dazed and Coinfused

Who needs a tombstone when you can build a mausoleum

Dazed and Coinfused

And without war, all that gold used there is forever irretrievable. Making the current tradable gold even less. Think of all the museum gold that is just in limbo. You can bet somebody will preserve trump’s gold toilet for prosperity. Protected by empty beer cans, chewing tobacco, thick accents, a yard full of cars that don’t run. Ranks right up there with the crown jewels.

Dazed and Coinfused

You talking bout Omar and her brother husband? I don’t think they chew backy

gman1964

You watch, this is going to lead to a new service offered by the grading companies where purchases can be sent to them for verification before being sent to the buyer to confirm authenticity, like the way Ebay verifies Rolex watches, etc. before being sent to the buyer.

Dazed and Coinfused

I was thinking the same thing. I see a quick fear campaign to get slabs reassessed for maybe half the regular cost. I think most of the money is made on shipping though. I mean seriously, if 75 million items have been graded, how much time so you think they really spend looking. Do they mic it and weigh them too? Or just pull out a jewelers loop and magnify 5x and look over it faster than an article in a nude magazine. Perhaps this is the push to get everyone to resend all their coins to get the new… Read more »

Dazed and Coinfused

Never underestimate the power of a dollar. I’m sure ai will solve the mystery. Bottom line will be trust of the system. But the collective majority usually gets the answer. Like the how many balls in this container, or how many gumballs in this machine. The average of the guess will usually guess correctly or within a rather acceptable range of the actual answer.

Dazed and Coinfused

Isn’t that how batman got started

Dazed and Coinfused

Imagine me and you, I do. I think about you blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah. Isn’t this that same song

sam tweedy

Don’t worry “OLD LADIES” here Iron “Mike Mezack” has got you all covered!!! No fakes to be found here!!!!! Just Understand!!!!!

Dazed and Coinfused

Okay folks. You have a decision to make to you want to buy from the “honest abe” Abe Lincoln, or ” I cannot tell a lie” George Washington hoard recently found in a box in the attic of a basement next door to a guy that shared the same last name as the family that lived next to Paul Revere’s silver Smith shop, so you know these coins Hella legit.

From oceans 11 12 and 13 to Mar a Lago dirty dozen.

Dazed and Coinfused

He won’t go to jail. As much as Hillary wants to wear a lock him up shirt and grab em by the pecker, just filing charges opened a can of worms. If he goes to jail that sets precedence. And you know they’ll go after biden and broke back Obama. Probably jail Hillary for selling Russia all that uranium. Plus, is it really prison if you are hanging out with El chapo and playing spades. It’ll be the new Vegas in a week. But if ya go maybe skip the dancing girls show

Dazed and Coinfused

For the first time ever. Both obverse and reverse on same side

mtausig

I can tell you from experience, this is real. I’ll leave the details to someone who wants to hear a crazy coin caper to contacting me. What I will say is, a Morgan dollar, very high grade & Rare, cash money, Discovery, FBI, sting, handcuffs, and that doesn’t even discuss the way this PCGS high grade coin was discovered as fake/counterfeit. Seriously. It’s almost Hollywood level. Well, if I was 25 years younger, taller, lighter, and a prettier face, then there’s some legit Scooby Doo-mystery in my story. Hope to hear from you, and thank you for posting this story.… Read more »