Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Parsons Marked Ingot

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Expert: - 12/26/2008


Question
I have a "gold" ingot stamped "PARSONS&C Assayers COL 1860 TWENTY
DOLLARS.

I SAW YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT SUCH AN EXAMPLE PROBABLY BEING A
REPLICA; HOWEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE DISCOVERY OF
THIS PEICE TEND TO INDICATE AN AGE OF MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HOW DO WE DETERMINE AUTHENTICITY?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

JACK BRUMBELOW  

Answer
Jack,

I don't have the specific expertise to explain how to tell if your ingot is authentic or a replica -- especially without being able to examine it first hand.

I recommend you contact one of the 3 main coin certification services to get it authenticated by them :

PCGS : www.pcgs.com

NGC : www.ngccoin.com

ANACS : anacs.com

They should have contact information or listings of coin shows they will be attending, where you can talk to them directly.


Another source of information would be the ANA's library :

http://www.money.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ExploretheWorldofMoney/Library/defau...

I hope this helps,

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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