Another Bad Coin in a Good Holder: My Deep Dive into the Latest eBay 1806 Half Cent Counterfeits

I’ve been watching a troubling trend in the coin world for years now: convincing counterfeits slipping past defenses. My latest obsession? The 1806 half cent. These fakes keep surfacing on eBay, sealed in legitimate third-party grading holders. It’s not just one bad apple – I’ve documented a whole pattern showing how even sharp-eyed collectors can get fooled.

My Run-Ins with These Clever Fakes

I’ve handled dozens of these counterfeit half cents, and what really unsettles me is how many made it through major grading services. So far, I’ve verified at least 16 problem coins, with six originally encapsulated by trusted TPGs. The worst offender was an AU-58 piece with toning so perfect it looked unnatural. That coin actually showed the repaired die mark over the ‘A’ in ‘AMERICA’ I’ve warned about before – proof these fakes keep getting better.

How Fakes Sneak Past the Experts

Here’s what keeps me up at night: how do these counterfeits get certified? From what I’ve seen, the holders aren’t fakes – the coins themselves are just that convincing during individual inspections. Grading services examine coins one by one, but when you line several up together, the inconsistencies shout at you. I’ve watched TPGs update labels after community alerts, but the core problem remains. My approach? Always cross-check against reliable sources and study die quirks like those I’ve marked in my reference photos.

What We’re Up Against Today

These aren’t vintage counterfeits – they’re modern productions, traceable to about 2008 and possibly originating near College Station, Texas. Half cents make perfect targets: less attention than silver dollars, but scarce enough to tempt scammers. That eBay fake’s artificial toning still haunts me – it mirrored natural patina so well that it could trick veterans. Here’s what I’ve learned to spot:

• Die States: Watch for repairs like that telltale cut above the ‘A’ I’ve found on multiple fakes
• Toning: Compare against authentic coins – counterfeiters have gotten scarily good at faking patinas
• Date Assumptions: Never assume rarity equals safety. If they can fake Seated Dollars in bogus albums, they’ll fake anything

Guarding Your Collection

Here’s how I protect my own collection. First, buy from trusted dealers but verify everything personally – scour high-res images for die markers and off-color toning. That unbelievable eBay bargain? Almost certainly trouble. Second, report suspicious coins to grading services; it helps everyone. Finally, learn your series inside out – like how counterfeiters often botch the stemless wreath on 1804-1806 half cents.

This ongoing battle has taught me that counterfeiting never stops evolving. But when we stay alert and share knowledge, we level the playing field. Keep asking questions, stay skeptical, and trust your instincts – that’s how we protect this hobby we love.