Chinese silver dollars?
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Here's a link to how to post a topic with images in our community https://coinauctionshelp.com/welcome-to ... community/
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You also agree to follow these guidelines. You must agree to these rules to be a member of this forum. NO SPAM! Spam is deleted within minutes, no spam will ever be left in our community.
1. Post a front and back image of your coin with a specific question about what you’re seeing or asking about and one coin per topic.
2. Please remove coin from the holder unless it’s US or an official mint case or unless it is graded by a grading service.
3. Images should be taken by a camera or cell phone camera, we ask that members don’t use images through a microscope screen.
4. Always start your own topic, please don’t ask about your coin or post your coin in someone else’s coin topic.
5. Do not send private messages about your coin unless an Admin ask you too and the same for sending emails through the board.
6. No spam. Do not post any links to your coin or other non-coin websites.
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Chinese silver dollars?
Found these coins, appear to be chinese silver coins? Can anyone tell if they are real?
- Daniel
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?
Seen plenty of these and I hate to be the bearer of bad news but these are all of questionable authenticity. You can see the impurities by the splotchy toning and colors, plus there's evidence of improper alloy mixture which causes "pitting".
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?
They can have some silver but that's only one piece of the puzzle. Have you weighed the coins or tested them with a magnet. Do you see some of the porous places in the planchet that I refereed to?
Here's a couple references and you can send an email to the site owner for a second opinion. It's best to get more than one opinion on these coins. I've sent several like this to PCGS. The authentic versions have the same luster a a US silver dollar or half dollar.
http://silver-coins.org/chinese_dragon_ ... vince.html
http://silver-coins.org/articles/fake_v ... coins.html
Here's a couple references and you can send an email to the site owner for a second opinion. It's best to get more than one opinion on these coins. I've sent several like this to PCGS. The authentic versions have the same luster a a US silver dollar or half dollar.
http://silver-coins.org/chinese_dragon_ ... vince.html
http://silver-coins.org/articles/fake_v ... coins.html
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- mhonzell
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?
The correct weight of 1914 Yuan Shih Kai silver dollar should be from 26.5g to 26.9g. Diameter should be from 38.50mm to 39mm and thickness: 2.5mm.
These were made with 89% silver content and the remainder was copper.
Modern imitations can be purchased for $2.59 each. While the company selling them clearly states they are imitations, the coins they sell are not marked to indicate that they are fake. These modern fakes have the same dimensions and weight, but contain copper and nickel, which easily produces the unmixed appearance seen in yours, if not made properly.
Cu-N is not magnetic. So, in this case, this may not be a very good test.
Within the tolerances allowed for this coin, Cu-N imitations can weigh the same as the actual coin. So, again, not a very good test.
Silver tends to tarnish towards a black color. Nickel tarnishes towards a yellowish color. Again, not the best test as many colors could develop.
Many imitations are made to look worn and dirty.
Ring test doesn't do well since the silver content is too low.
Look carefully at the reeds on the edge. Are they all evenly spaced and equal in size?
Look at this comparison:
One costs $2.59, the other $749. I'd hate to make that mistake. But, when put side by side, it becomes more obvious. Look at the details of the first two characters (letters). The one on the left has fine lines, the one on the right has fat stubby lines making the spacing wrong for some of the characters. The metal on each has a faint tint of color: the left is moving towards black, the right towards yellow. Daniel has a very experienced eye and sees a lot of these things, but doesn't always verbalize it. He just knows. But, it is our opinion and you do not have to take it.
So, based on what can be tested, you are pretty much left with the opinion of an expert, unless you have metal identification equipment.
These were made with 89% silver content and the remainder was copper.
Modern imitations can be purchased for $2.59 each. While the company selling them clearly states they are imitations, the coins they sell are not marked to indicate that they are fake. These modern fakes have the same dimensions and weight, but contain copper and nickel, which easily produces the unmixed appearance seen in yours, if not made properly.
Cu-N is not magnetic. So, in this case, this may not be a very good test.
Within the tolerances allowed for this coin, Cu-N imitations can weigh the same as the actual coin. So, again, not a very good test.
Silver tends to tarnish towards a black color. Nickel tarnishes towards a yellowish color. Again, not the best test as many colors could develop.
Many imitations are made to look worn and dirty.
Ring test doesn't do well since the silver content is too low.
Look carefully at the reeds on the edge. Are they all evenly spaced and equal in size?
Look at this comparison:
One costs $2.59, the other $749. I'd hate to make that mistake. But, when put side by side, it becomes more obvious. Look at the details of the first two characters (letters). The one on the left has fine lines, the one on the right has fat stubby lines making the spacing wrong for some of the characters. The metal on each has a faint tint of color: the left is moving towards black, the right towards yellow. Daniel has a very experienced eye and sees a lot of these things, but doesn't always verbalize it. He just knows. But, it is our opinion and you do not have to take it.
So, based on what can be tested, you are pretty much left with the opinion of an expert, unless you have metal identification equipment.
- Paul
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?
without really looking to closely at first, as they are not "U.S. coins", & reading m's post,.... i looked closer...
one "DETAIL" i look for on 'dentil' design coins, is their evenness/spacing/appearance.
posting excellent images helps.... hugeeyes :thumbsup:
just looking quickly (see pic), notice the small rim cud @ K10, & the 'bunched up' dentils, as if the die was repaired...... :dunno
one "DETAIL" i look for on 'dentil' design coins, is their evenness/spacing/appearance.
posting excellent images helps.... hugeeyes :thumbsup:
just looking quickly (see pic), notice the small rim cud @ K10, & the 'bunched up' dentils, as if the die was repaired...... :dunno
- mhonzell
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?
Excellent find, Paul. The dentils between these two arrows are not all the same length. Visibly different is a bad sign.
Re: Chinese silver dollars?
I've had this coin for over 50 years and really gave little thought to it until the "FATBOY" coin was mentioned in a video. I am now curious to it value. It weighs 26.81g, diameter 38.81mm , thickness 2.3mm
Last edited by Steven49 on Tue May 26, 2020 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Chinese silver dollars?
I've had this coin for over 50 years and really gave little thought to it until the "FATBOY" coin was mentioned in a video. I am now curious to it value. It weighs 26.81g, diameter 38.81mm , thickness 2.3mm
- Daniel
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