| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,856 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1691 Posts |
I am considering buying a 1893 Morgan from a neighbor..... it appears VF+ condition but has tape or glue residue on it They have had it over 30 years but I read about all the fakes out there. 1.How can I be sure it is genuine and what is a good price to pay for a VF no problem 1893 Morgan silver dollar? 2. Can the glue residue be removed and will this lower the value of the coin(cleaned). 3. I plan on offering $150 for this coin...too high, too low? 4. Any pics to show fake vs real 1893? Thanks for your expert opinions    Edited by atlashealth
10/02/2009 7:18 pm
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Any way of get a picture of it? The 1893 is a key day for this series and $150 for one in VF is not too much money provided that it's not a copy. Soaking the coin in acetone for a few minutes should remove any tape residue.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
532 Posts |
I don't expect you to just take your neighbor at their word about verifying the coin unless you have some history with each other. However do you feel you can at least trust that they have had the coin for such time period?
With the older fakes the weight was typically wrong. More modern fakes seem to have recently overcome this obstacle making some of them very dangerous. On the older ones though it seems it was always a dead give away.
I would say to weigh it as step #1
As for price, 150 is arbitrary without pictures or otherwise being able to see what it looks like. A fair price? A scremaing price? or retail price? Depending on which book you are looking in the prices are all over.
True the 93 is in demand, it is a tougher coin. But not as hard to find in VF as some of the books try to push.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
I know a quick way to get an idea if it's real that I usually do is to listen to the sound of it when dropped flat on a table. Take a known real morgan and drop it (maybe 6-12 inches) and listen for the distinctive "CLING" sound. Then drop the 1893. If it sounds different, it's probably not silver and therefore fake. But, if you have a good relation with the neighbor let them know the offer price is dependant on it's evaluation on being authentic or not.
Mike
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
While the drop test can be used for low value coins, I don't advise it for a key date. This test could result in damaging the coin.
|
|
Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The coin looks to be genuine. I would grade it as F-15, but there may be enough detail especially on the reverse to bump it up to VF-20. Red Book lists it at VF-20 for $240. I see some small rim dings, so $150 would be a good price for this coin. Not an easy coin to come by with only 378,000 minted. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
I have to agree with Nod about that "drop test". Dropping a heavy coin 6-12 inches onto a hard surface is more than likely going to leave undesirable dings on the coin.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1691 Posts |
The bad news...acetone did not remove any of the tape residue on the reverse of the
1893 Morgan---it must have been stuck to the surface so long(over 30 years)that it fused to the metal...the good news...I only paid $130 for this coin with VF details and nice toning...what you see is what I got!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
Edited by Moe145
10/22/2009 10:49 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
Thanks for the pics Moe. I'm always looking to further my education on fakes, as I'm sure many on the forum are. I'm glad to say that the moment I saw the date on that one I knew something looked wrong. It looks like Barney the big purple dinosaur drew it on with crayons. Not a very sophisticated fake, but good to see what's out there none the less!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1691 Posts |
Thanks for pics Moe...I feel more confident about my recent purchase
and will take to my next coin club meeting to show off!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
Quote:
Not a very sophisticated fake I agree, particularly when you look at the date. Very crude. This fake is around 5-6 years old. I'm sure the newest fakes are getting more sophisticated. BUT, the rest of the coin actually doesn't look too bad, detail-wise. The fake toning/wear is uneven and used only to camouflage the lack of luster that a real Morgan would have. I REALLY think Congress needs to ban the minting of look-alike coins all together. The coin collecting hobby is really getting messed around with all the fakes and the inability to determine authenticity of many of the coins these days.IMHO. |
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 2,856 |
|
Posted 09/30/2009 04:42 am
