Fake/Counterfeit Detection: 1870-S Half Dollar

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,807
CCFPress Press Manager United States 1420 Posts	Posted 11/29/2020 12:42 pm NGC - Analysis of the date and weight proves that this coin isn't genuine. The San Francisco Mint struck just over 1 million Seated Liberty half dollars in 1870. Only five years after the end of the Civil War, Americans still preferred coinage over paper money, so most examples circulated extensively. This means that the 1870-S half dollar is quite scarce in Extra Fine or higher. The example shown was recently submitted to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) and immediately caught the graders' eyes. Read More: Counterfeit Detection Series. At first glance, this coin appears to be an Almost Uncirculated (albeit cleaned) 1870-S half dollar worth hundreds of dollars. However, the fields, which should be smooth, are uneven and porous. This porosity is even more evident on the devices. *Counterfeit 1870-S Half Dollar* The details also are weak. The folds in the dress and the lines and LIBERTY on the shield are much less defined than they would be on a true moderately circulated coin. This is because of either poor detail on the counterfeiter's dies, insufficient striking pressure, or both. Read the Entire Article Report this Post to the Staff

Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 11/29/2020 2:48 pm The date logos always seem to give these away. Report this Post to the Staff
Ballyhoo Pillar of the Community United States 1613 Posts	Posted 11/29/2020 6:40 pm I would only buy a third party graded specimen of any 1870 dated coin. ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon Report this Post to the Staff
GalGippol New Member United States 2 Posts	Posted 01/22/2026 1:57 pm it's obviously fake. The date is too planned, and the mint mark is weird looking and in the wrong position. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73585 Posts	Posted 01/22/2026 2:06 pm The one in the date is a dead giveaway of it being counterfeit. It's not the same shape as the genuine one. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
ArrowsAndRays Pillar of the Community United States 1653 Posts	Posted 01/22/2026 3:30 pm A not-silver contemporary fake? Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94665 Posts	Posted 01/22/2026 7:58 pm anyone's guess on that Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,807

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