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Press Manager
 United States
1420 Posts |
NGC - One of the most extensively counterfeited United States issues is the Trade dollar. Recently, one was submitted to NGC that exhibited a number of telltale signs of a fake. Trade dollars are one of the most extensively counterfeited United States issues, and fakes are received frequently by NGC. Many counterfeit Trade dollars are well-made and can be very difficult to distinguish from their genuine counterparts. Complicating the matter is the fact that many genuine Trade dollars exhibit unusual characteristics, such as raised lumps on the devices, which typically serve as an indication that the coin is suspect. One counterfeit Trade dollar recently submitted to NGC exhibits a number of telltale signs of a fake.  Counterfeit 1875-S Trade Dollar A cursory look at this 1875-S Trade dollar reveals sharply defined design elements and decent luster-nothing to indicate that it is a counterfeit. However, a closer inspection, particularly under a loupe, reveals several unusual qualities. The digits 7 and 5 in the date have prominent lumps and depressions. A raised line bisects the top half of the 8. To the left of the date, at star one, are a number of depressions-these are caused by abrasions on a genuine coin being transferred onto dies and struck on the counterfeits.  Check out 1875-S Trade Dollars on ebay
 Counterfeit 1875-S Trade Dollar Die MarkersOn the reverse are a number of raised lines; the most noteworthy starts at the period after FINE and ends near the last A in AMERICA. A small, granular depression is seen to the right of the olive branch. An incuse line through the T in UNITED, as well as a large raised lump on the I, also stand out.  Counterfeit 1875-S Trade Dollar Die MarkersThis counterfeit was struck from dies made by transferring details from a genuine specimen. By making a copy from a genuine coin, the counterfeiter is assured that the letters and design elements are properly shaped and spaced. Nonetheless, this process leaves depressions, lumps, and raised lines that help to identify the coin as a fake. Collectors should be suspicious of any coins that display these or similar characteristics. Read More: Counterfeit Detection Series Check out 1875-S Trade Dollars on ebay
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Moderator
United States
198004 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
110107 Posts |
Thanks CCF Bot for the great information  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
80451 Posts |
Good information, thanks! Errers and Varietys.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21794 Posts |
IMO, die markers are the most reliable single way to detect counterfeit coins,
although other detection methods should be employed to support the comparison of die differences.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2872 Posts |
A very informative article. I always appreciate NGC's Counterfeit Detection Series. This is a deceptively good counterfeit, one that would've fooled me. Granted, I wouldn't buy a raw Trade dollar these days, but I always want to learn what to look for. |
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Valued Member
United States
466 Posts |
For safety's sake, I always stick with NGC/PCGS certified coins. But having recently seen the proliferation of convincing counterfeit slabs bearing certification numbers identical to genuine certified coins of the same grade and issue, I am leaning hard into purchasing only from known, reputable dealers, several of whom do sell on ebay. Unknown ebay sellers are really starting to scare me, which is really unfortunate, because it hurts honest people who want to make honest sales. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
27514 Posts |
That's a really good fake. I wonder what the weight and metal composition of this fake are.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
United States
101 Posts |
Are most of these counterfeits made out of silver so that they weigh the right amount? If they weigh the right amount I can see why they are hard to detect. Those defects shown are really small.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
810 Posts |
Yes thank you. I always had an interest in Trade dollars but this has made me leery about buying them. If the thieves are skilled enough to fool LCS's then they could fool me. Pity...they are nice coins with much History to them. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21794 Posts |
I have found that very high quality fake coins are made from
worn common date coins that have been melted to attain the correct alloy.
Correct metal analysis by itself can be a poor indicator
to determine if genuine or fake.
With ancient gold, look for the variation of trace elemental impurities, not the gold.
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Posted 02/27/2026 4:43 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
