A missing skirt is among the clues that this coin isn’t real
Only 6,167 Costa Rican gold escudos were struck in 1850, making it a scarce coin today and one where we see counterfeit examples. Because demand far outstrips supply, examples of this coin are worth much more than melt value. Unfortunately, that makes these coins a ripe target for counterfeiters.
A few years ago, NGC received this coin in a submission. For this article, genuine coins are shown on the left and the counterfeit submission is on the right.
Genuine 1850 JB Costa Rica Gold Escudo (left) and counterfeit example (right)
Regrettably for the owner, the coin submitted was a fake. With more knowledge about the series, perhaps it could have been spotted before the submission. Just take a look at how much better the detail is on a genuine example (left).
Genuine 1850 JB Costa Rica Gold Escudo (left) and Counterfeit example (right)
As you can see from the photos above, the genuine piece has a much stronger strike and the details are far sharper. This is even more noticeable when the design is magnified.
Genuine 1850 JB Costa Rica Gold Escudo (left) and Counterfeit example (right)
On the fake coin, almost all of the fine detail on the high points of the body is lost, especially the feathered skirt. In fact, the skirt is completely missing on the counterfeit piece.
Additionally, note how rounded and misshapen the lettering is on the column. Instead of sharply rising from the surface of the coin, the letters on the fake sort of blend into the surface, especially the top two lines as well as the second “1” in “1821.”
Whenever purchasing an expensive coin, it is wise to know a great deal about the type of coin you’d like to buy. If that is not possible, it is best to depend on the expertise of a reputable third-party grading company like NGC, which backs up its authentication and grade with a guarantee.
Did you know? NGC has created a comprehensive Counterfeit Detection resource to help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit and altered coins. Visit NGCcoin.com/counterfeit.
