Fake/Counterfeit Draped Bust & Trade Silver Dollars
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Morgan Dollar
1878-84
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1885-93
1894-98
1899-1904, 1921
Trade Dollars-Facts, pictures, descriptions, and auction links
Morgan Dollar-Facts, pictures, descriptions, and auction links
The 1804 is considered the "King" of silver dollars, and is rarely seen for sale at any market. The 1804 Draped bust Dollar is classified as different restrike proofs, and when on hits the market it creates a large "buzz" in the numismatic community and will sale for 2-3 million dollar or more. So, if a dealer or a person selling out of their "garage", flea market (any market), over-seas or online auction sites, has one for sale or many for sale, than it should be obvious the coin is not authentic.
This example is counterfeit and struck with a week and fake die, and a die with design features miss-aligned, and not the same shape as an original 1804 Draped Bust Dollar would appear. It's best for a collector to print or have access to an authentic 1804 to compare a supposedly authentic 1804 Bust Dollar, so one can determine if the coin matches in details. Also, the weight of the coin should be obtained as the fakes will not weigh the same and do not contain the same amount of silver, if any.
The above image is an example of an 1796 "Small Eagle" Draped Bust Dollar, and it's obvious the coin is fake, however there's other indicators that the coin isn't authentic. One the obverse, the 6 in the date isn't the correct font and the letters and stars are a bit too large. On the reverse, the eagle's beak is opened, the S in STATES, is too far right, and the eagle isn't perched on anything, just to point out a few errors.
Obviously, if one where able to examine this coin in hand and had keen knowledge on the Draped bust Dollar, they would realize instantly that the coin was a counterfeit.
The above image is an example of an 1872 Trade Dollar, and I could point out many features that make this coin fake, but the bottom line is, NO Trade Dollars where produced in 1872, and anyone seeking to buy a rare coin should carry a coin book for reference, or don't buy coins at all.
It's one thing, to get defrauded by buying a counterfeit "silver" dollar , but it's pure ignorance to buy a coin with a date that doesn't exist!
You will find counterfeit coins like these, and some a little different at ebay, ioffer, and many online auction sites and physical markets, and I encourage buyers not to be fooled into thinking that they are going to obtain a rare coin type, date and mint mark for a low value. These rare coins cost money because they're rare, and just because a vendor or seller doesn't know if the coin is real or not, doesn't mean they are being truthful or that they are selling an authentic rare coin. The seller is a person, just like anyone else (albeit some are dishonest), and they have found or purchased or produced these coins and are attempting to sale them to make money.
It doesn't matter if they don't know if the coins are fake, and it doesn't matter if they know the coins are fake, what matters is that YOU, the buyer, realizes a fake coin so you don't waist your money and lose it in a fraud. A coin book might cost $10-$15, but buying a counterfeit coin can cost you a couple hundred, be smart, educate yourself, and don't buy something you don't know much about.