Need Help: How Can I Tell if Morgan is Genuine

Hello newo.,

I attached a couple of interesting and applicable sections found within a past CCF thread addressing counterfeits:





These were taken from:

http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...chTerms=seam

Although this past discussion focused on a rare 1932-D silver US quarter the same type of counterfeit seams could appear in Morgans also.

Check out the doubled rim above the RTY of LIBERTY: characteristic of cast replicas shrinking when cooling down...

fyi,

mdpmedia

Dont forget that posting good, quality pictures on this forum could help. That could be your most powerful weapon, besides the tests done in hand.

-Dan

Thanks so much everyone for your feedback... I have yet to try taking better pictures like the ones I've seen here.

I do have pics of 2 coins (I'm considering buying) that I'd like to get your opinion on. Pls let me know what you think - I really appreciate your feedback!

Unfortunately, your best weapon to detect Morgan counterfeits is a trained eye. As Fredd saidd, there are some pretty darn good fakes out there, ones which will pass all the standard "tests." Heck, there are Morgan counterfeits of the same silver composition as the originals. At that point, it's your own experience with looking at and handling Morgans which must take over.

Until you reach that point - and the best among us can still be deceived occasionally - your best bet is to deal only with reputable sellers. Especially in the case of the two coins you pictured here. They're both rather scarce in the grade they look to be, particularly the 1884-S which is probably a $200 coin figuring it for AU53 or so. The 1883-S is roughly a $90 coin, figuring it for about AU50.

I don't see anything about either which jumps out to call itself "fake," but both are coins I'd approach with caution.