Counterfeit Detection: 1893-CC Morgan Dollar Counterfeit - Not PCGS

Jack Young - With Carson City Morgan dollars, I typically start with the reverse and the size/placement of the "CC" mint mark; my go-to place for that has been the online resource VAMWorld and I have made crib sheets for myself of the known reverses by mint mark and VAM variety. When I speak of a Morgan VAM, I am using the term to mean known variety, but the Wikipedia definition is as follows:



The Subject ebay Listing


And the "across the room" feature I mentioned—well, there is a well-known counterfeit "CC" reverse used on a whole series of different dated Morgan fakes with both attribution points—the same wrong-for-most-CCs shape/location and the "slash" across the eagle.


Attribution marks on the ebay example.

I also note the "un-filled O" feature, which I have seen on many of the latest CC Fakes. And then the slab.

The label font also catches your attention from across the room! The front barcode does not scan, but the reverse QR code does. And ironically, it reads the correct cert number but adds "cn" to it - an ironic reference to China?


PCGS Cert. Lookup. Screenshot: PCGS.

And what about the cert? Conveniently it has no reference image or auction appearances to compare to but it is active.


PCGS Cert. Lookup. Screenshot: PCGS.

Being notified of the issues, the seller pulled the listing pending "further review." And running through my file folders, I came across this Canadian seller example from January.


eBay listing for a "PCGS 1893-CC Morgan dollar. Screenshot: ebay.

Same cert number, but this one's front barcode scanned. The font was also better, but the reverse QR yielded the same "cn" notation.

And again, the reverse was easy to spot!


Side-by-side comparison of two fake 1893-CC Morgan dollars. Screenshots: ebay.

That seller wasn't so cooperative, and the listing was removed.

But, as always, there's more!

Back through the archives, I came across this beauty. Again listed on the 'Bay with the same PCGS cert number but a different generation holder. This one dates back to 2022.


eBay listing for a "PCGS 1893-CC Morgan dollar. Screenshot: ebay.


eBay seller obverse and reverse images.

And the reverse "features":



And the "twist" (as always)! One can always find them cheaper on one of my favorite internet venues.


Fake PCGS Slabbed 1893-CC offered on AliExpress.

So, there appears to be no end to the bad coins out there or subject matter for this series. Stay vigilant; it is a jungle out there!

Read More: Counterfeit Detection Series

Check out 1893-CC Certified Morgan Dollars on ebay.