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CA - Wells Fargo & Co. Counterfeit Collection :

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 800.00 USD
CA - Wells Fargo & Co. Counterfeit Collection :
Three elaborate Wells Fargo Express counterfeit pieces, perhaps made about or in the 1960's. 1) The classic Wells Fargo medal from 1902. This medal, however, appears to be a counterfeit. The high rim and uneven edge are unusual, and not normal. If they were, the die work would have been protected, and here the die work is so bad as to be generally unreadable. The details for the scene, which on originals are very fine, are here mashed together as if the piece is made from a clever casting. It is also unusual, because I can't remember ever seeing a fake before (FH). A recent check with the So-Called Guy reveals that he has seen a similar piece, but they are not plentiful. 2) Thought to be an Original engraved metal on wood Wells Fargo Frank for Wells Fargo franked envelopes from the 1860's to 1870's period. However, upon magnification, this may be another elaborate counterfeit. The wood block is machine cut with a modern-style hot wood stamp on the end indicating the maker (a "P" with a pilgrim-style hat on top of it.) The fine detail seen in this frank on original Wells Fargo covers is not present, absolutely not typical of Wells Fargo original material. After examining a good WF cover collection, I cannot find a single cover with the detail lost in the frank as is present in this engraved device.-FH. 3) Nice brown, rectangular canvas bag, 7 x 11". The type style on the bag is not consistent with original Wells Fargo material, and an original bag would not contain the words "Assayed Silver", particularly because they never had an assay office and only dealt in gold. Thus we believe this bag to be an elaborate fake, but is very collectible, because of the Wells Fargo name, nonetheless.