Please confirm if this looks authentic? 0

[CoinCollector3452]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1985-IRISH-20p-COIN-MOST-VALUABLE-IRISH-COIN-GOOGLE-IT-Serious-buyers-only-/363735972545?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Edited February 20, 2022 by CoinCollector3452

[Alex in PA.]

Hmm

 

Edited February 20, 2022 by Alex in PA.

[Mr.Bill347]

I ,personally think it’s a forgery. Seller has only sold a few items, the 8 and 5 don’t look right, the edge is supposed to be reeded and smooth alternatively, we can’t see the edge only from straight on shots and the fact that there are only 10 of these left after the rest of the 500 minted were melted down. Why would this guy just not sell it to Whytes? Also what can you mail from England to the US for 1.00?

I smell scam stay away.

 

 

[Fenntucky Mike]

On 2/20/2022 at 7:55 AM, Alex in PA. said:

Hmm

That is a rare coin if authentic. I'm watching it. 

From Whyte's April, 2019 auction: 'These coins were issued in advance of production to various companies and organisations to facilitate calibration of vending machines and other coin operated devices such as telephones, meters etc. According to sources in the Central Bank less than 50 pieces of the 500 or so issued were not returned. To date about ten examples in private hands have been recorded, making it one of the rarest Irish modern coins, even scarcer than the 1943 florin. Lightly streaked and uneven toning, extremely fine.' PRICE REALISED:€5,400

May, 2016 sale:

October, 2015 sale:

OP's coin in question: Images cropped and reoriented for easier comparison.

Counterfeit, end of story.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Fenntucky Mike

[Alex in PA.]

On 2/20/2022 at 8:40 AM, Fenntucky Mike said:

 PRICE REALISED:€5,400

 

Amazing and Irish too. Good call on your part. 

Edited February 20, 2022 by Alex in PA.

[Alex in PA.]

On 2/20/2022 at 8:40 AM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Counterfeit, end of story.

Thanks.  It is very interesting to know they don't only counterfeit US coins but foreign coins also.  Good job.

[MN1]

Looks odd to me.  I have a number of Irish coins.  Nothing valuable at all but the one from the link looks off without immediately comparing and the fact the entire coin is not shown in either photo is not good.

 

Edited February 23, 2022 by MN1

[RWB]

On 2/20/2022 at 8:40 AM, Fenntucky Mike said:

From Whyte's April, 2019 auction: 'These coins were issued in advance of production to various companies and organisations to facilitate calibration of vending machines and other coin operated devices such as telephones, meters etc. According to sources in the Central Bank less than 50 pieces of the 500 or so issued were not returned. To date about ten examples in private hands have been recorded, making it one of the rarest Irish modern coins, even scarcer than the 1943 florin. Lightly streaked and uneven toning, extremely fine.' PRICE REALISED:€5,400

This is similar to the US Mint's August 1916 "Mercury" dime production where samples were sent to slot machine (telephones, vending machines, etc.) companies. Results were so bad due to thickness variations that the whole production was melted and changes made to the design. A few pieces were not returned, and these are now considered patterns and very highly prized. (The full story is in my book Renaissance of American Coinage 1916-1921.)

Edited February 23, 2022 by RWB