went to my new site and found this 1821 capped bust, but it aint silver, its a copper counterfeit, not pewter. was so excited when I dug it, but now have no clue what I really have, havnt done any cleaning to it yet. rings up as +50
I have a 1833 or 1834 half-dollar counterfeit made of brass with "United States Of America fifty cents" around the rim. That I dug. What is the value of one of those in good shape?Open to offers!!!
Actually contemporary counterfeit bust half dollars are quite common and were probably the most counterfeited coin made at the time. I know someone who collected them and had at least 150 of them as of 25 years ago. In the late 1700's it was the British halfpence that was widely counterfeited. I found two British halfpence this summer, both were counterfeit. Didn't find any real ones. When it comes to British halfpence, I'd rather find the counterfeits. I'm not sure with a bust half. I guess it would depend on the condition. Either way, NICE FIND!
Is there a prevailing theory as to how these period counterfeits were made ?- I have to assume they were cast in some way rather than die
struck- as I have no idea how one could create steel dies to duplicate the originals . Great find !