Caveat emptor

According to a recent report by the Numismatic Society of Ireland, several examples of this scarce (key date) halfcrown have appeared on the market, so buyers need to be extra vigilant when offered what may look like a bargain from an unusual source.

• Needless to say, an eBay seller “with little of no sales history” should be considered suspicious – especially if they have only “high value” coins for sale.

The fake 1937 halfcrowns spotted (so far) share flaws not seen on genuine coins and these are as follows:

• The coin has a grey metallic appearance rather than a nice silver colour.
• The overall design is also weak and the “wear” is uneven.
  • This is the best fake 1937 2/6d yet seen.
  • Other 1937 fakes have a split in the line under the horse above the “6”.

The fake Halfcrowns have flaws not seen on genuine coins and these are as follows:

Obverse
1.       Raised blob of metal – below “é” and near the harp and on letter “é”.
2.       Various areas of weak design on the harp not resulting from normal wear.

Fake 1937 Irish halfcrown (obverse)

Reverse
3.       Line under the horse (under front hooves) has been reshaped or touched up.
4.       Weak design; lower legs of the horse

5.       Weak design – búailte, or shéibhiú (dot) over the “c”.
6.       Small raised blobs of metal beside the tail.
7.       Indistinct lines on the tail.

Fake 1937 Irish halfcrown (reverse)