| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,442 |
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Hi I just paid for a 1878 Trade dollar on ebay, but the seller is now saying he thinks it might be a fake. I was wondering if someone can tell me based on the pictures if you think it is real or not. Thanks for all your help! Scott   |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
I'm thinking he's right based on the weird edges with the groove in them. You might also want to ask him if he can weigh the coin. Based on it's relative lack of wear, it should weigh somewhere in the neighborhood or 27.2 grams...
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
516 Posts |
I was worried about the detail of the stars as well as the branch and leaves.. Agree with getting a weight on this one.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
 Something seems odd about this one. I agree that some of the details look mushy. The thing that struck me is how wide the rims are. Looks more like the ones that you find on Seated dollars. |
|
Valued Member
United States
87 Posts |
Somthing just doesn't look right, and if the seller says it might be a fake, that'd be a no-go for me!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
Yeah, if the seller said he thinks it's fake, what's the chance it isn't. It doesn't look right, and these Trade dollars were faked probably more than any other silver dollar. Many were pewter and from China. I can't tell for sure, but this one looks silver to me...a weighing would confirm this. I know there are diagnostic pictures of how to spot a fake Trade dollar on the web. I don't know how to do it myself as I've never collected Trade dollars...out of my price range unless I go for terrible quality. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
953 Posts |
looks fake to me, esp the reverse
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
968 Posts |
I just looked up what PCGS had to say in their grading book. They don't talk much about Trade dollars because they don't think they are counterfeited much, and if they are they are almost always low quality ones (I'm just paraphrasing what they say, I don't know enough about them to know). The most useful thing they say is that the counterfeits are usually 2 grams underweight and have a specific gravity of under 9.5 (the real one is 10.3). Looking at your pictures, I notice some of the stars on the obverse look like they are hollow in the center. That shouldn't happen in a real, struck, coin, but could easily happen in a cast. Edited by Saruma
10/06/2011 8:40 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
580 Posts |
The seller said he thinks it's fake AFTER you made the purchase? IMHO a seller would only say he THINKS it's fake, because he KNOWS it's fake, and wants to avoid negative feedback after you receive the coin. Just my opinion.
Edited by LTMets44
10/06/2011 11:11 pm
|
|
New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Thanks for all your help. If he hadnt told me something, and I hadnt have asked you all id be stuck with a $120 lose, thanks a BUNCH! :)
Peace and kind regards
Scott
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
OOPs! forgot  to CCF  Fake Here is one to compare your's to. Due to lack of detail - it's a fake. I would not put too much weight on its weight. They be make'in them from silver. Get your $$$ back. This one was shamelessly copied from Heritage's web site  Edited by wwhitman
10/07/2011 12:03 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
Look at the rims, see how wide they are? They also have a seam in the center, that is the first place you want to look if you suspect a fake. Check it with a magnet most of the early fakes are magnetic, silver is not. Ed ANA LM-3175 |
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 1,442 |
|
Posted 10/06/2011 5:59 pm
