Chinese silver dollars?

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thedm005
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Chinese silver dollars?

#1 Unread post by thedm005 »

Found these coins, appear to be chinese silver coins? Can anyone tell if they are real?

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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#2 Unread post by Daniel »

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?

#3 Unread post by thedm005 »

Ahh ok yeah because they definitely feel like and sound like silver

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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#4 Unread post by Daniel »

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

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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#5 Unread post by Paul »

:agree: D,

:eureka:
start with "weight & magnetism" here....
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#6 Unread post by thedm005 »

Coins are not magnetic, what weight should they be?

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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#7 Unread post by mhonzell »

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.
Comparison.jpg
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.
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Untitled.jpg (22.51 KiB) Viewed 11872 times
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.
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#8 Unread post by Paul »

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
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#9 Unread post by mhonzell »

Excellent find, Paul. The dentils between these two arrows are not all the same length. Visibly different is a bad sign.
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#10 Unread post by Steven49 »

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
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Last edited by Steven49 on Tue May 26, 2020 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#11 Unread post by Steven49 »

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
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Re: Chinese silver dollars?

#12 Unread post by Daniel »

Needs to be tested and authenticated

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