Fake Trade & Morgan Silver Dollars (Can You Tell The Difference?)
Posted April 20,2008
Information and pictures courtesy Hans Ten Napel silver-coins.org
By Daniel Malone
NAVIGATION
There was a time when fake Trade Dollars were authenticated and slabbed by the most reputable third party grading services; accidentally of course. The counterfeits, out of China, were so numerous, and close to the design appearance of a United States Trade Dollar, that a few slipped through the cracks, so to speak. Good for consumers is the Internet with all of the information on fakes and counterfeits with only a few clicks of a mouse. The internet allows common coin collectors to be more informed on the fake coin market and the details that make a coin counterfeit.
However, some coin collectors still don't realize the differences of a fake vs. authentic Trade Dollar, even with all the current information, and pictures of a Chinese mint facility, with hundreds of fake US coins in stacks, that are now posted all over the web. But it doesn't have to be like this, and in the future maybe these counterfeit mint facilities will be shut down. Until then, let's look at a few pictures and details of a fake and authentic Trade and Morgan Dollars to discern some of the differences.
Fake
Authentic
Above are obverse pictures of two different Trade Dollars. The differences are more evident when compared side by side. Silver-Coins.org is an authority on fake silver coins and here are a few pointers to note to differentiate between fake and authentic Trade Dollars.
- The numbers are not exactly the same. (but very hard to notice).
- The stars are not sharp or detailed and too flat.
- In general softer details then most authentic 1876 trade dollars.
A few detail differences I noticed: The nose on the fake is more pointed, the drapery on the right side of IN GOD WE TRUST is different, and so is the draper across Liberty's lap, and the arms are more 'muscular' in appearance. I'm sure there's more, but for now let's compare the reverses below.
Authentic
Fake
Silver-coins.org also points out that Chinese forgeries have a 'slippery' surface. On the fake reverse above there are more differences to note. The eagles's beak is open on the fake, no arrow knocks, the lettering appears 'thicker', and even the leaf and berry design is wrong. At first glance, these problems might not appear fake, but with a little further examination, and an authentic coin to compare with the fake and be discerned.
I suggest any coin collector whom wishes to collect raw Trade Dollars, to buy an authentic coin in a top tier grading holder. Take this coin to coin shows, dealer shops or even use it against the pictures on their computer screen. The fakes are still out there, and they will only get better at making them, so be informed, and don't be afraid to question a coins authenticity or a dealer's for that matter.
Fake
Authentic
Silver-Coins.org has this to say about Morgan Dollar fakes:
- The numbers are not identical, note the one and five especially.
- The letters are not exactly the same, but sometimes hard to notice.
- The stars are too big and too flat compared with the authentic coin.
- In general soft details and slippery surfaces.
Authentic
Fake
On the above 1885 Morgan reverses, you can tell the letters are more fat on the fake, the leaves are wider and not as pointed when compared to the authentic Morgan. The 'O' mint mark will look more like a zero on many fakes also. Another problem, is dates with incorrect mint marks i.e. 1887-CC, 1888-CC, or an 1878-O.
Just remember, if it looks odd, it may be a fake or counterfeit, and silver dollar collectors should always be wary of the to-good-to-be-true-deal, or a date that and mint that never existed. Also, any suspect fake should be weighed, and they should never feel slippery.
Trade Dollars-Facts, pictures, descriptions, and auction links
Morgan Dollar-Facts, pictures, descriptions, and auction links
Ü
