1879 Morgan Silver Dollar With Metals Breakdown On Reverse.

I was going to wait until better pictures were posted, but the coin in question has the same dull grey look as alot of chinese counterfeits. I don't know about the details of the coin due to pictures (My eyesight ain't what it used to be)

Boy you guys are quite cautious arn't you? That's good. I don't have a way to weigh it. As far as the coin's history, my grandmother collected coins and I don't really know when and where she aquired it. She has been passed away now since the late 70's. I'd love to post bigger pictures but this site only allows for 5MB. I'll try to post again with bigger pics.

This pattern was executed in silver, goloid, aluminum, copper, white metal and lead (although the last two are apparently unique). The example shown here has obviously seen circulation, and it wouldn't be the first to have done so. Circulation would account for the color. Although I don't discount the possibility that it's counterfeit, if the coin was owned for years by someone who passed on thirty years ago, the chance of it being a Chinese counterfeit becomes rather smaller.

These aren't so vanishingly rare that it's absurd to find one having been in unknown private ownership. Nor are they so valuable as to warrant any kind of in-depth scam; the coin pictured here is worth less than $1000 even if real.

So let's withhold opinions about originality based on non-professional pictures, and find this guy a reputable dealer in his area for a second opinion before he commits cash money to having it authenticated by a TPG.

This is definitely a coin that should be checked out by a reliable and very trustworthy Coin Dealer. Even then, be cautious and if the Coin Dealer says that it is a fake but then makes an offer to buy the coin, refuse and go to the next step. Try to get the weight and measure the diameter to see if it is within tolerance of the known specimens. If so then go to that next step, which is to send it off for certification and grading to a reputable Grading Company. Due to the marks on Miss Liberty's face and a possible cleaning, the coin might not grade at PCGS or NGC, even if it is authentic.

It is a only a guess at best when trying to determine if such a coin is authentic from pictures and especially since they were produced in several different metals? As far as the appearance, the details look really good but the color is somewhat suspect. However, the latter could probably be explained if it's compostion was known!


Frank

Mark,

You might not want the coin to be made of Silver! If authentic, it could be even more rare and more valuable in one of the other metals that they used when producing these Pattern Dollars!


Frank

Mark,

Good luck! I hope it comes back authentic!


Frank

Ok folks, here's what has happened recently. It's a fake...no, just kidding. I took it to a coin dealer in Cleveland today. He is a member sanctioned by one of the web sites someone has posted in this thread. He weighed it and it weighs 25 grams took out his magnifying glass and feels it's a legit coin. There were no cast marks and some ridge or ring on the outside was what it was suppose to be. The issue with the color is that the coin was cleaned at some point in the past. He say's it will be certified but not graded as a proof. He gave it an XF grade in his opinion and will be quite valuable. I'll get it back in about a month. I'll let you know the rest of the story. This coin will go up for sale when I find out a value.

Great find,
I would still send it off to get certified.
The amount you pay for certification will be more than returned if you plan to sell.
Keep us up to date.