1807 Draped Bust Half Dollar Real/Fake? Die Variety?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 463
lahave56 Valued Member Canada 72 Posts	Posted 04/08/2026 6:40 pm Can someone help me with an assessment of this coin - pictures below? I'd like to know if it might be counterfeit or if not then perhaps some help with grading and attribution. I've been doing some reading on the subject of counterfeits but there's alot to learn - kind of an art and a science requiring years to become expert. Anyway, I would appreciate a more knowledgeable opinion. I'd also like to investigate the die variety if it might be real. However, I haven't been able to find an online resource. I'm aware of the Overton and more recent books on the subject but they are pretty hard to justify price-wise for me. I know TPG is another option. Appreciate any thoughts. Report this Post to the Staff

Chase007 Pillar of the Community United States 7503 Posts	Posted 04/08/2026 7:52 pm Looks like a fake one to me,both obverse and reverse rims look off, 0 and 7 of the date is off , on the reverse the extension of the cloud should be through the F of OF this one is through the O The whole appearance looks off almost all the devices show trails of metal flow. Report this Post to the Staff
Zurie Pillar of the Community United States 5661 Posts	Posted 04/08/2026 9:15 pm I believe it's a genuine O-103. The position of the letters, date, and stars match perfectly, and the diagnostic die cracks and clashes are present. Looks to be about XF40. It's hard to assess the surfaces, but not obviously cleaned. Here's a site for attribution: http://maibockaddict.com/1807-o-103.shtml Edited by Zurie 04/08/2026 9:19 pm Report this Post to the Staff
adam126402 Pillar of the Community United States 877 Posts	Posted 04/09/2026 10:44 pm I agree with Zurie, looks genuine to me. Report this Post to the Staff
lahave56 Valued Member Canada 72 Posts	Posted 04/12/2026 11:23 am Thanks for having a look folks. The link provided by Zurie was very helpful and I too think O-103 is a good match. The description of O-103 obverse mentions narrow milling which I assume refers to edge detail like a reeded edge. This coin has a lettered edge detail so I'm thinking the narrow milling either refers to the rim width or the denticle detail. I also measured the diameter and weight which are 32.85 mm and 13g (my current scale is limited to the nearest gram - I know I need a better one) compared to design target of 32.5 mm and 13.5g. Thanks again! Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94586 Posts	Posted 04/12/2026 7:09 pm to CCF. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
Jaobler Pillar of the Community United States 6381 Posts	Posted 04/12/2026 10:53 pm If it's a fake it's pretty deceptive. You should see if a local coin, jewelry, or pawn shop can perform an XRF measurement to check the alloy. A real draped bust half is made from 89.2% silver plus 10.8% copper. An XRF can determine whether this piece has close to the correct values. You should also get a precise weight. If alloy and weight check out the potential value fully justifies investment of a grading fee. PCGS would be my first choice. Report this Post to the Staff
lahave56 Valued Member Canada 72 Posts	Posted 04/13/2026 6:06 pm Thanks Jaobler hadn't considered XRF, I am thinking from Canada that doing a PCGS submission is best done through a dealer with things as they are. Do you have any thoughts on my question about "narrow milling" which is mentioned in the obverse description for the O-103 variant from the website mentioned by Zurie Report this Post to the Staff
jack jeckel Pillar of the Community United States 5195 Posts	Posted 04/14/2026 11:27 pm Where did you purchase it from and how much did you pay for it? A lot can be solved immediately based on the answer. Report this Post to the Staff
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