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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,021 |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
I recently came across a US Trade $ that weighed in at 26.9 grams. Manufacturing data specs on this coin indicate that it should weigh 27.2 grams. Based on my coin's weight, is this a replica, or could there be a real 0.3 gram weight variation and the coin still be authentic? Thanks!
This specific coin is a 1874 CC. It appears to be in VF condition. I'll see if I can get some pic's posted.
FYI, I have ran acroos some blatent fakes, but these wer coming in at weights of 18-19 grams. Edited by adaalex
03/15/2006 7:19 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
3730 Posts |
I'll let our experts answer your question, but I wonder about it being counterfeit.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I dont know much about Trade dollars but I do know they are widely counterfited. I know a guy that bought a bunch of them and all were fakes. Not saying yours is fake but with the weight difference it would make me think it was because the mint is usually pretty accurate on their weight |
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Forum Dad
 United States
24150 Posts |
Welcome to the forum!
Can you post some photos? There's usually other ways to tell. I would think that .3 grams could be wear over the years, but I'm not sure about that. What year is it?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1079 Posts |
Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy your stay here. I know nothing about Trade dollars so I will also leave it upto the experts. Are there really that many fakes out there? |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
I wouldn't know for certain either, but I am sure there is an accepted tolerance on the weight. Material can also wear off over time, but for a coin in VF condition, I wouldn't expect this to account for very much. Also, if your scale or balance is working improperly or out of calibration, it could give an inaccurate reading. If you have some object with a weight that you know is extremely accurate, you could test your equipment with that. I suspect that something like a Silver Eagle would be a good standard; I am sure modern technology ensures a very tight tolerance on these coins.
Heather
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by KLD
Hello and welcome to the forum.
I hope you enjoy your stay here.
I know nothing about Trade dollars so I will also leave it upto the experts.
Are there really that many fakes out there?
There are undoubtedly more counterfeits available right now than legitimate raw coins - they're minted by the thousands overseas. Some are pretty good, some transparently fake. The weight difference is less than 2%, which IMO is inconclusive. As bobby131313 mentioned, the best bet is to post pics. Pay particular attention to the denticles, and what should be sharp edges where device meets field - lettering, the eagle's wings and the outstretched arm can be dead giveaways. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
I am going to be extremely persimisstic here. Think about it. If there is a difference of 0.3grams, unless you looked at the edge properly and noticed someone who nicked some silver off the edges, I can't explain how with a grade of VF can you have a loss of 0.15grams each on both sides. Perhaps with a worn coin, I might consider, but no in this case. Let's not forget, US minting technology developed pretty decently in 1830s, together with the rest of the world, and by the end the 1850s, most silver coinages around the world in developed countries had excellent technology to detect such weight issues. Such such Trade dollar coins, specifically minted for trading purposes - having weight issues could mean that someone in the mint be fired for that. As well as, let's remember the times when coins were properly backed up by bullion value. Again, weight is no longer a safe way to detect counterfeits. Some of the recent discoveries in the world numismatic field have been very shocking, and you should be vigilent all the time. Unless it's slabbed, I wouldn't bother looking in the first place. |
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
Trade dollars are very commonly counterfeited. There are fakes that are very obvious and some that are very well done. Often, even if the details are well done, you will see a casting line around the edge. Here is a site showing some known counterfeits. For some reason, this site will sometimes load with the counterfeit pics and sometimes with oriental text and no pictures, but when it loads correctly, the pictures are very, very good. http://hk.geocities.com/lover2485/Pictures.htmlLarge (4-5"), clear pictures will help to determine the authenticity. I feel that the coin is weighing in a little light even with wear. If you post pics and we can't see that it's obviously a fake, you may want to send it in to ANACS for authentication.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,021 |
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Posted 03/15/2006 6:47 pm
