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 Replies: 26 / Views: 2,926 |
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Forum Dad
 United States
24161 Posts |
I'm building a page to help identify fakes. Here's what I have so far... http://www.coincommunity.com/us_dol...ar_types.aspI'd like to get more identifiers nailed down. Thought maybe I could get some suggestions. I have permission to use Heritage images so we should be able to do a really good job. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4416 Posts |
This is a very worthwhile project, Bobby. I applaud your efforts. Since you asked, here's my Two Cents ... Typically, I'm first alerted by the color and condition. The vast majoity of fake Trade dollars I've seen tend to display a dull gray or mottled mixture of gray with brown/black highlighting. The condition is typically XF and lacking signs of wear that moderate circulation renders. I look for weakly struck areas to spot the fakes, as genuine pieces in that grade seem to rarely evidence same. Many of the fakes I've seen tend to have sharper reeding, it seems. Then too, I've noted fakes bearing somewhat misaligned dates. Of course, doing a "ring/ping test" and weighing a suspect piece often helps me determine a fake; this, as does the use of a magnet. Beyond these measures, it's the general observation that the elements don't look "right." While this may not be as scientific an approach as many desire, these tactics have generally served me well. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
Thank you again Bobby for all the work you put in helping us novice collectors from making mistakes. We know it takes up so much of your time and it is really appreciated!  |
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Valued Member
United States
398 Posts |
Effort of love, thank you boddy, thank you!
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Valued Member
United States
311 Posts |
Awesome, thanks for all you do.
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Moderator
United States
54282 Posts |
Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Forum Dad
 United States
24161 Posts |
Any diagnostic photos that illustrate anything I haven't done yet would be great, you can go ahead and upload them here. If they are too big, email them to me at bobby@ this site.
Thank you!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3149 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
188440 Posts |
Excellent. This will come in handy since I still need one for my 7070.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
54282 Posts |
Quote:
Any diagnostic photos that illustrate anything I haven't done yet would be great, you can go ahead and upload them here. If they are too big, email them to me at bobby@ this site. OK, give me a few days, they are on a flash drive I have at another location I won't be visiting until later this week. Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Forum Dad
United States
24161 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
1153 Posts |
Good info thus far, a few minor grammatical errors but nothing major.
I think it would be good to have a picture highlighting the wear points. Since most fakes are VF as mentioned above, making sure the wear is typical is a good first step in seeing if it is authentic.
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Forum Dad
United States
24161 Posts |
Man, bad spelling day.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
Assuming it's a valid date and mintmark combination:
The very, very first thing I look at is the scroll where it meets the hand. If the scroll is flat instead of curled, that's a 99.9% chance of being a fake.
On higher grade coins, the texture of the rocks/stones is a good giveaway as well. They should be textured, not flat, and with good detail.
Another quick test is orientation: a lot of the fakes I've seen have been medal orientation (up/up) instead of coin orientation (up/down).
Even brand new, the fakes do not have good luster, and I don't think I've ever seen one that isn't a dull gray to brown color. Most of the fakes are VF-XF or have other oddities such as showing XF-AU detail in some places but F-VF in others.
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Moderator
United States
54282 Posts |
Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Replies: 26 / Views: 2,926 |
Posted 02/03/2016 08:40 am
