My Checklist For Fakes

NOT AS GOOD SS SWAMPERBOB, BUT HERE IS MY CHECKLIST FOR FAKE SPANISH COLONIAL AND OTHER CROWN-=SIZED COINS-


CHECKLIST FOR FAKE COINS

SOLD IN ASIA (or MEXICO)
HIGH GRADE COIN, RARE COIN
SIGNS OF CASTING
fuzziness around edges of design devices from mold used
devices and lettering do not meet field at 90 degree angles
some details sharp while others are blunt
soap-like appearance or feel
grainy, pitted or flaked fields (from air bubbles in mold)
cracks in letters of legend
globs of metal near design devices or at rim
seam around edge (may be filed off); blob around edge where metal was injected
SIGNS OF ELECTROTYPE
seam visible around edge or where rim meets edge
grainy surface
dull blue-gray color (like plastic play money)
underweight
INDICATION OF BASE METAL (eg, lead, copper, iron used in casting)
ring test (tapping with pen produces dull thud rather than ring)
weight (overweight silver, underweight copper - but not foolproof)
patina, verdigris (copper with silver wash)
planchet cracks (German silver [nickel] does not flow under pressure)
ANACHRONISTIC STRIKING
uniform raised rim, denticles stop at rim (no restraining collar on screw press)
very smooth fields (genuine coins have mostly rough planchet surfaces)
grossly uneven wear between obverse and reverse (mint would replace worn dies)
comparison to known original coin for variations of lettering, design details, etc. (many counterfeits are made to appear worn through weak striking or incomplete dies, and many have chop marks)