1891 CC Morgan Silver Dollar Just got this today!

The '91 or '99?

 

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My only concern is that these could possibly be counterfeits. Counterfeiters in China are making complete sets of the Morgan dollar, even aging them and creating patina, and it is unlikely that you could buy the "real thing" for little more than melt value. It is harder to believe that some seller would give these away if they were real.

Also, I agree with others that FryDaddy should not put the coin down just because he doesn't collect Morgans.

Chris

 

The 1899-s

 

I bought it at a jeweler I bought coins here before, the husband who give the prices stepped out and the wife didnt want to keep me waiting so she sold them to me for what I paid for my previous coins which was $35 a coin.

 

I don't think the 99 is cleaned at all. I think its dirty at the surface but luster underneath.

I think you did really well with both of these purchases OP. If I were you I would go to HA or similar and look at LOTS of coins and try to start grading yourself. Grading is such an important aspect of collecting you really do need to learn how to grade a coin in a few seconds for circulated issues.

Knowledge is power in this hobby. The more you know, the better you will always be.

Btw, never apologize for your collection. I have been collecting for 30+ years, have thousands upon thousands of coins, and my collection is still put to shame by many of my friends. I do the best I can, and so have you. All collections, if they make you happy, are priceless to me. What is most important is your knowledge and enjoyment.

Chris

 

Thanks Chris.

What's an HA?

I did well with 2 but I bought a 1880 for 35 as well. And I think it's worth 35 or less. But I like the Color...

 

Regardless, I would still want them authenticated, but not by a jeweler.

Chris

 

I'm sorry that I have to keep dwelling on the possibility that they may be counterfeit, but the 1880 looks very suspect to me, too, because of the rim. Like I said, complete sets are being made in China.

Chris

 

I really hope they're not fake...

 

If you have access to a scale, weigh them. That is one of the easiest ways to tell if it is fake. They are getting better about making sure the weight is correct though. But still, check it out and let us know.

 

Ill take it to a coin shop and just ask "do you know what this is worth?"

 

That works too. They will be able to look closely and should be able to tell if it is real.

 

Anyone in New York City want to help me with authenticating them?

 

The 1880 worries me actually. The other two looked reasonable, but the rim and color both on the 1880 looks funny. Like others have said try to get them weighed, all three of them.

Not guaranteeing they are fakes Simon, just worried especially about the last one. It CAN be like that for an authentic one, but not commonly. Unfortunately a ton of these are coming out of China now and places like jewelers, who are not coin experts, are getting sold a lot of them.

Just get an accurate scale weight of them and we can see if it proves anything.

Don't get mad or overly worried until there is something to worry about. Just FYI a lot of coins on internet boards are questioned as to authenticity in this day and age, and many are good coins.

Chris

 

Well said.

 

No! Don't ask what it is worth. Ask the coin shop how much they would be willing to pay for it. There is a difference. Asking it's value tells the person in the coin shop that you don't know anything about it. Asking how much they would be willing to pay simply requires a straighforward answer. If the dealer asks you how much you want for it, just tell him/her that you have a number in mind, and you want to know how close he can come to it. As long as you keep the ball in his court, you will be more apt to get an honest appraisal.

Chris

 

it just makes me wonder why someone sold it for basically spot price <shrug>

anyone could look it up in the red book.

 

The Husband would look up the prices. I paid 35 for a pretty worn 1904-O, but he knew it was not a very common date. But because of the condition he gave it to me for 35. I will hope it's real. I will find out on my off day when I take it to a store...

 

Good advice.

As a side note, there is an extreme difference legally between the two. I worked with law enforcement on a sting of "gold buyers" years ago, and I had to get them to tell me the coins I gave them were only "worth" little, (there was a 1893s salted in there). The two older men knew the game and only told me they would give me X, they would never utter the words they were only worth X. Thankfully a younger guy finally told me, "kid, they are only worth X". I signalled the cops and they were busted. Legally, coin dealers are not allowed to tell you a coin worth thousands is only worth $4, but legally they CAN tell you I will pay you $4.

Sorry, I know OT.

 

Same thoughts. I took a Counterfeit Detection course through the ANA Summer Seminar this past month and you would be surprised by the detail in counterfeits. The easiest test is of course the weight test, often-times cast copies are more than 10% underweight, if it's beyond a 5% tolerance of the Red book weight it's probably a cast copy. It may be tedious but another option is a reed count... those are often messed up on copies because the reverse and obverse are often-times taken from a real coin, but the reeding on the coin's edge is often custom done, and potentially done improperly. Close ups would also help... if there are the tell-tale 'pock marks' on this coin there can be very little dispute that it isn't authentic. Often time the chinese fakes are purposely toned/ 'dirtied' to look heavily circulated.


Not trying to rain on your parade man, I bought a '93 CC a couple years back that was a very convincing fake. The good news is that even if they are counterfeit, they are probably still the same silver composition and thus, you got them for a good price. A magnetic susceptibility test is also a great test.