Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1944 ecuadoe coin

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Expert: - 6/16/2011


Question
Hi Dmitry,
Sorry for repeating this question about 1944 Ecuador 5 Sucres coin. Actually my coin is 38.86 mm in diameter, 2.9 mm in thickness thru my digital caliper and 24.9 gr. in my digital scale. And turns yellow, so if your info is 37 mm in diameter means my coin is incorrect specification as you see before the photo that I send to you. Means is it fake?

Answer
Hi Buboy,
Considering the diameter this coin would indeed be a counterfeit. Since the weight is correct, it means that if the coin were the right diameter it would be too light. It is likely made from debased silver, which is a low amount of silver mixed with other metals. Coins with low silver content often turn yellow in color.
The picture I had seen of the coin had the correct details. This would be a modern counterfeit made with a computer assisted die engraver. Older counterfeits that were made before modern technology did not have correct details like this.
Thanks again! =)

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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