NGC -
This clumsy fake can still teach some valuable lessons about how to make sure your coin is real.With a diameter and weight smaller than a
Roosevelt dime, Gold Dollars were struck from 1849 to 1889. Each coin contains just under one-twentieth of an ounce of gold, offering collectors an affordable way to add the precious metal to their collection. A Liberty Head design was used for the first six years that Gold Dollars were issued, before being replaced by an Indian Head design.
Genuine 1868 Gold DollarNGC recently received a purported example of an 1868 Indian Head Gold Dollar, a relatively common date for which genuine examples in low Mint State are worth a little more than $1,000. This one has the Large Head design that was used for most of the 36-year run of the Indian Head Gold Dollars, after an initial Small Head design was quickly phased out.
Counterfeit 1868 Gold DollarThough this coin is a low-quality counterfeit, it still can teach some valuable lessons about coin authentication. For starters, numerous details are sparse or completely missing. On the obverse, the headdress and hair have been simplified on the fake, while facial features such as the ear and chin look much different than a genuine example. The two S's in STATES are particularly poorly executed, while the word Liberty at the base of the headdress has been reduced to mere chicken scratch.
Close-ups of the obverse of a genuine 1868 Gold Dollar (top) and counterfeit
Close-ups of the reverse of a genuine 1868 Gold Dollar (top) and counterfeitThe obverse has so many telltale "tool marks" extending from the rims that the counterfeiter appears to have simply decided they weren't worth the effort to try to conceal. Speaking of the rims, notice that the denticles have morphed into rectangles in many places on the counterfeit, and there aren't nearly enough of them.
The small size of this coin can work to the advantage of anyone trying to counterfeit it, but even without a loupe, this one doesn't stand up to basic scrutiny.
Check out 1868 Gold Indian Princess Dollars on ebay.
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Posted 09/13/2024 3:05 pm
