Counterfeit Japan 2 shu kin

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This example was part of a group of counterfeits found by a friend in Hong Kong. All of the examples in the group were cut in the exact same shape. The 2 shu rectangles were hand made and hand cut down to size so each one should be completely unique in shape.

Below as another one I later found. Note how the top corners of this example have the exact same angled cuts. The third picture is an example of one of these counterfeits graded by PCGS. Below that I have an example of a real one. At the end I'll provide some close-ups highlighting some distinctive features of these counterfeits as well as the XRF findings. 

All of these pictures should link to a high resolution example you can zoom in on to examine yourself.

The following is an example PCGS graded as top pop MS63. It is one of their 3 plate codes for the type. I've edited the the image only to match the size and spacing of the other images.


Just for some context, here is an example of a real one. Amusingly, this one PCGS recently returned to me as Authenticity Unverifiable.


Notable Features

Borders

  • Red: Note how they have similarly angle-cut corners with perfectly straight horizontal and vertical sides. These coins were made by hand and no two examples should be the exact same shape.
  • Green: All of these seem to have the same false looking doubled border dots. Note how the circles that should be second strike have flat tops and sharp corners that exhibit none of the roundness dome shape the dots should have.
  • Blue: Note how the entire border in inset below the level of the field and the flat top of the dots appears to be the same height as the field.

Obverse Features

  • Green: Note how all of the high points are perfectly flat with sharp edges.
  • Red: All of these examples have the same diagonal hash marks in the fields

Reverse Features

  • Green: Reverse high points are also perfectly flat
  • Blue: All three of these examples have the exact same set of deep lines down the left border




XRF Results

I don't own the PCGS graded example so I can't test that one but I had a dealer friend test my examples with the XRF at his shop. Both tested as 100% silver.


The Manen 2 shu kin was the last of the series and was heavily debased. According to the guide, it should be 22.9% gold and the remainder silver. To maintain the gold appearance, the coins were treated to strip away the silver on the surfaces of the coin. As a result one would expect the XRF test results to show slightly higher gold content. My example tested at about 35% gold with the remainder silver - which meets expectations.








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