| Author |
 Replies: 41 / Views: 4,083 |
|
New Member
United States
22 Posts |
I just received a 1902-S Morgan dollar for a buy it now price paid of $50.00. Because of it's great condition, I'm leary of it being authentic. It fits in my album ok, a magnet does not stick to it, but it doesn't quite have that silver sound when dropped. Before I contact the seller, I was looking for an opinion on this coin-real/fake. O Image:  1902s.jpg18.92 KBriginal picture attached. Thanks for your assistance. |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
jnm444,
It's really hard to tell from that small photo. My advice would be to weigh it. Genuine Morgans weigh in at 26.73g. Anything over 27 or under 26 would be suspect. Usually counterfeits are underweight by about 5g.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
The photo is too small to make a conclusive decision. Having said that, I am very leery of the location of the date - it seems far too low. Also in consideration is the relative rarity of this date in higher grades - it's the type of coin which would be counterfeited in XF-AU grades in the aim of attracting buyers who would purchase the coin in hope of getting a higher grade from a TPG. An AU 1892-S is a $1000 coin; a Chinese counterfeiter would only need to get $50-100 for a fake version in order to make $49.99-99.99 on the deal. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
Way I see it, any domestic seller engaging in the sale of counterfeit coins should be prosecuted for fraud and passing counterfeit money. The onus should be on them to show they had no intent.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
 with SeatedNut get the weigth of it Also please do not drop it just in case it is real Also post pics of both sides in greater detail |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I know very little about Morgans, but given the low mintage I would check to see if any have a date positioned like that. As SuperDave noted, it's pretty low...as well as close to the point on the bust. Doing a quick check on Heritage, I did not see any other 1902-S with the date positioned that way. The date digits also appear too large. (imo)   |
|
New Member
 United States
22 Posts |
Thanks to all who replied. Unfortunately. I do not have a scale to weigh it.
Another(authentic) 02-s I have shows the date set pretty close/low to this one.
The thing that really started my request here was one I didn't mention until
I started looking at my other collections...the "2" in this coin is...
"curly", assuming you can see that from the photo. None of my other Morgans,
1892-1882-1902...have a 2 like that. I'll try to get a reverse photo. TY.
|
|
New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Quick reply. I didn't drop it per se...only a couple inches. Gave it a spin and did same with my other silver Morgans to try to distinguish sounds. thanks.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Can we see a link to the auction? That is a low BIN price for this date/condition.
Verify the diameter and thickness of the coin vs. specification. If you have a popsicle stick (or similar item), balance a known Morgan on one end and put this coin in the same location on the other end. It should balance out.
Based on the price and the pics, I'd say there's a good chance this is a counterfeit coin. You can almost eliminate it being counterfeit if it's weight and dimensions are spot on. It could still be a very good "real silver" counterfeit however.
This looks like a $200 coin to me. Can someone confirm the market price?
Good Luck!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
bherring,
That is a low BIN. Greysheet lists it at $225-$250 in AU, $160-$175 in XF.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2373 Posts |
An EF bid/ask is 155/170 on a grey sheet few months back. nlp
|
|
New Member
United States
22 Posts |
|
|
New Member
United States
22 Posts |
I may have gotten my answer. I just looked at a couple of 02-s replicas.
They have the same "rounded" 2 and same "toning". Difference being is that the replica has "copy" marked in back. I 10x louped mine..no "copy" label, but everything else looks the same.
I don't see the "camera" icon on this site now, but any 02-s replica look the same.
|
|
New Member
United States
22 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1208 Posts |
There was an 02 counterfeit being discussed in a thread last year. The date, namely the 2, looked just like yours. IMO, this is a fake. I would shout the seller's name to the world, ebay, law enforcement, and anyone else who would listen. Along with the seller's feedback. No excuses either... |
| |
Replies: 41 / Views: 4,083 |
1902s.jpg
Posted 01/16/2009 11:19 am
