My Encounter with Another Bad Coin in a Good Holder: The eBay 1806 Half Cent Saga

As someone who’s spent years collecting early American copper, I’ve encountered plenty of counterfeits, but that recent eBay listing for an 1806 half cent really drove the point home. It reminded me how even coins in reputable holders can fool us, and why we collectors need to keep our guard up.

The History of Deceptive Fakes

I’ve followed this particular group of fakes since first writing about them back in 2015. Back then, I identified two different die states – including one where the counterfeiter tried fixing a cut above the “A” on the reverse. At the time, I knew of 14 examples, with six already slabbed by major grading services. Fast forward to today, and I’ve spotted two more on eBay, bringing the total to 16. One recent pickup came raw from a seller who usually deals in Chinese coins. He told me it came from a cleaning lady who’d cleared out an old Boston coin shop’s basement. Naturally, it turned out fake. I’ve developed a habit of circling four key reverse details in my photos to spot these phonies. Now I’ve got six of these counterfeits sitting in my own collection!

Grading Pitfalls and Market Realities

What troubles me most is how these fakes keep slipping past grading services like NGC. In hand, they’re convincing enough to fool experts until you compare them side-by-side with genuine examples. I’ve reported these to the grading companies, and they’ve updated their online listings, but the problem continues. Just recently, I saw an AU-58 example with artificial toning so convincing it could trick a veteran collector. This isn’t about counterfeit holders – the coins themselves are being misattributed as genuine. The trail leads back to around 2008, with strong evidence pointing to a counterfeit operation in College Station, Texas. Why half cents? Historically, counterfeiting such low-value coins wasn’t worth the effort. But today, collectors prize rarity over face value, making them perfect targets for modern forgers.

Practical Advice for Collectors

From what I’ve learned, here’s how you can protect yourself:

• Check key areas: On 1806 half cents, look for die flaws around the “A” and the spots I circle in my reference photos
• Watch for suspicious toning: Recent fakes mimic natural patina beautifully – study authentic examples closely
• Don’t assume other dates are safe: They’ve faked the scarcer 1805 half cent using the same dies. I’ve seen entire counterfeit sets of Seated Dollars with different dates
• Get a second opinion: When in doubt, ask a specialist. I’ve examined questionable coins for fellow collectors that saved them costly mistakes
• Stay cautious with all purchases: Even reputable dealers can get fooled – examine every coin carefully

Broader Implications for Numismatics

This isn’t just about one date. The scarcer 1805 half cent shares the same tough die as the 1804 and 1806, making it equally vulnerable. With more of us buying coins online these days, we need to be extra careful. Always insist on clear, high-resolution photos and compare them to authenticated examples. It’s not easy, but staying informed – like following the summaries I post on Proxiblog – can help you spot trouble before it lands in your collection.

Counterfeiting seems to be the problem that never quits. But by staying alert and sharing what we find, we collectors can keep ahead of the fakers. Keep those eyes sharp and that magnifier handy!