Detecting A Counterfeit/Fake Silver

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,312
baguiobookstore Valued Member Philippines 120 Posts	Posted 04/07/2007 10:57 pm I just played coins before but now coin collecting is appealing to me, I tried but got lot of counterfeit especially silver coins. I bought a coin I thought a silver but later I found out its not,i bought a coin here too and tested it as silver by rubbing it to a black stone-its white so basing it on some words of silver buyers here its a silver but why some say here in the community that its not because it is a silver it means its real..is their a silver counterfeit too? if an expert do detect a real coin what do they do? thanks! I moved your topic to the Main Coin Forum where it will get more attention - Moderator Fred Report this Post to the Staff

Morgan Fred Rest in Peace United States 2684 Posts	Posted 04/07/2007 11:25 pm Boyet, a warm welcome to the forum! There's plenty of friendly people here very happy to share their experiences and expertise. Swamperbob, our resident counterfeit expert will probably be along shortly, but I'll get the ball rolling. First, scrape tests aren't very reliable since any amount of silver in a coin will leave a white mark as will some base and other metals, e.g., aluminum. Further, scraping a coin causes noticeable damage and may greatly reduce its market value. The best test is to weigh a coin and measure it against its mint specifications. For example, an uncirculated Morgan silver dollar will weigh 412.5 grains (26.730 grams), no more, no less. A very circulated Morgan will weigh as little as 398 grains due to loss of metal from circulation. However, a counterfeit Morgan I have weighs only 380 grains and we have seen counterfeits weigh as little as 300 grains and as much as 450 grains (lots of lead to get the weight up). Any weight variation for a Morgan outside of the range 412.5 to 398 grains would be suspect. Following a passed weight test, a suspect coin may then be given a specific gravity test. In both tests, an accurate scale measuring at least to the hundredth of a gram (or half a grain) is needed. Do you have particular suspected counterfeit coins as examples? Report this Post to the Staff
TwoKopeiki Pillar of the Community Czech Republic 803 Posts	Posted 04/07/2007 11:33 pm The best, non-damaging way to detect silver is to perform Specific Gravity testing on the coin, but it requires a bit of setting-up. There are a number of signs that help in Counterfeit Detection. Appearance of casting seam, hollow denticles, low weight, lack of sharpness in devices and lettering, etc. You can learn the pitch of silver by "ringing" it - balance it on your finger and tap the edge with a pencil to listen to the pitch. Best advice - learn the original coin before buying it - know what the dies are supposed to look like, the edge, weight, metal composition. Also, learn what is coming from our friends in Beijing and Hong Kong - look at Chinese sellers and their merchandise. Get used to the look of their counterfeits, etc. Approach every coin purchase (especially on-line) with suspicion. Pretend that every one you look at is a fake and try to prove to yourself it is not. I hope some of this makes sense :) Good luck! ~Roman Report this Post to the Staff
baguiobookstore Valued Member Philippines 120 Posts	Posted 04/09/2007 12:12 am lots of coins..just recently I've got 1 very interesting coin--look its the 1804 silver dollar! only 15 mintage? but wew! we scaled it and it's 22 grams--that would be a fake coin isn't it? its a silver but the weight is not in conformity with what the book contains..i guess 27 grams? also their are lot of libertad coins here-mexico coins...not yet scaled it and I am not willing to bet my money on it because I do not yet know the coin, unfortunately I cant find world coin book here in the Philippines atleast for me to learn all I could about coins other than U.S and PHIL. thanks for guiding this amature coin collector here! i still got lots of questions in my head I cannot find in the books I've got.. thank you very much! Report this Post to the Staff
Tykimeister Pillar of the Community United States 882 Posts	Posted 04/09/2007 1:14 pm If you live in the Philippines, do you happen to buy coins from people in China? Report this Post to the Staff
baguiobookstore Valued Member Philippines 120 Posts	Posted 04/10/2007 10:22 pm yes sir I buy coins from china but not directly..wew our brother moros are traders of those kinds..better beware from their items.. i have bills here but they are of Phil/U.S..thanx! Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,312

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.2 seconds to rattle this change.

Detecting A Fake Silver