Expert: PAPAJACK - 12/28/2006

Question
A friend of mine has a copper looking Confederate penny given to him in 1960.  There is no damage to the stamping, so it MAY be one of the 1874 restrikes, or even one of the original copper nickle coins commissioned during the war.  Who should he go to for a confirmation of authenticity and a competent appraisal?

Answer
Hello Ray,    

The Item would have to be seen as you say, to be accurately appraised. Photographs do not really help with this. You can always send it to a service to be authenticated and graded. They charge for the service and if it is fake you will get it back saying so. If real it is encapsulated for posterity and assigned a grade.  

If you write back with your general location like the nearest large cities,  some local telephone area codes and some Postal Zip codes in your area, I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

Or there is help at most large coin shows. There are representatives from the grading services. ANACS service even some smaller shows. They give free consultations on coins at their table. If you need to find a show or an error coin authenticator in your area just write me again.

I hope this information Helps.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack