Counterfeit Detection: Draped Bust Dollars: A Family Of Struck Counterfeits

Jack Young - By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers. In a discussion at the 2019 Dayton EAC Convention on counterfeits, we talked of three "families" of fakes: the 1804 "C-6" Half Cent set, the 1833 "N-5" large cent set, and the 1795 "off-center bust" dollar set.

The 1795 off-center bust, known as variety B-14 or BB-51, is unique to the date and an obvious bad numismatic choice for a family of differently dated counterfeits! Comparison images courtesy PCGS:


On a popular coin forum, two different examples were posted separately for review and discussion; the main concern of both OPs was authenticity.



I have created a set of images comparing this with the second posted example and highlighted common marks between the two as follows.


Obverse comparison of two study examples

White circles indicate common "markers"; note: the breaks at stars 4 and 5 are common to the genuine variety and duplicated in these two as well.


The common "puncture" marks

These common marks have led others to nickname these the "vampire" counterfeits, although there must be a genuine source example out there somewhere!


Reverse comparison of two study examples

The reverses are pretty unremarkable for common marks; the red circle highlights a rim ding unique to the second example of these two.

These "coins" are pretty good representations of a genuine 1795 off-center Draped Bust dollar!


Obverse comparison to a known genuine example (courtesy PCGS)


Reverse comparison to a known genuine example (courtesy PCGS)

Now the fun begins, as the counterfeiters use the base example and die, and create the improbable "family" series of dates.

To date, we have images for 1796, 1797, 1798, and a mystery 1799 half-member!


1796 "Replica" off-center bust

Of course, there are no off-center bust varieties for the year, but here you have one complete with the "fang" marks and stamped REPLICA.

But there are those that are not so stamped and appear pretty deceptive to the inexperienced of the series.

As I have previously noted, a " Red Book" would help weed many of these out.

And next are the "1797s", as the family keeps expanding!


1797 off-center bust counterfeit

And this one sports a realistic-looking die break.


Second 1797 off-center bust counterfeit

And of course, there is a "1798" version - complete with matching family marks!


1798 off-center bust counterfeit

And the last, more of a half-brother if you would, is this "1799" correctly centered bust but the same reverse as the other family members. which is wrong for a 1799!


1799 small eagle reverse counterfeit

As I have previously stated in other articles, one of the best ways to protect yourself from this type of fake for sale is to learn the series yourself.

Buy the reference books, join a discussion group or club focused on your interests (such as Early American Coppers - "EAC"), and ask other experienced members and friends. And review similar items on the internet: major auction house sales archives and NGC and PCGS's variety pages are great online resources.

Read More: Counterfeit Detection Series

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