Contemporary Counterfeit 1738-A Sou Marque. In Imitation of Paris Mint. Vlack-15. Rarity-8. Fine-12 (PCGS).22.7 grains. Deep olive-brown with some areas paler. Fairly rough in appearance and quite soft in places on the obverse and across most of the reverse. All important stop or pellet after the reverse <em>different</em> is clear and unmistakable. That <em>different</em> itself, however, is not distinctive and does not resemble a fox, which is one of several factors suggesting that this piece is a contemporary counterfeit. Vlack (2004), however, does assert that this specimen, although worn, appears genuine as the date and stop after the Fox [sic] are clear. An intriguing example, and among the highlights of the Syd Martin sou marques offered in this sale.PCGS# 917773.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of the Robert A. Vlack Collection, January 2008 Americana Sale, lot 5056. The plate coin for the attribution in the 2004 Vlack reference on the French billon coinage in the Americas.
