A great example for anyone interested in learning about fake Chinese coins

Please take a look at the following coin. It is being marketed completely honestly, and has already been denounced a counterfeit by PCGS.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHINA-1900-KIRIN-PROVINCE-DOLLAR-SILVER-COIN-COUNTERFEIT-Y-183A-YIN-YANG-/290635706302?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ab3cefbe

This one is supposed to be Y# 183a in the Krause book. But has one major counterfeiter's error in the design.

The reason I feel this is a good example to learn from is because it's the type that would fool most collectors. If not for the one red flag, it's something I would likely have paid a couple thousand for based on pictures alone. The weight is a bit off, but many times the weights are not listed. The big clue is that the ying-yang halves have incuse dots instead of small circles.
The coin is struck, rather than cast as many of the more obvious counterfeits are. Also, it's struck on a silver planchet with convincing aging. The rim denticles and lettering is somewhat irregular, but this is also evident on most genuine pieces.
Counterfeiters can often replicate the details very well, but one thing to pay attention to is the wear pattern. On the coin in question the wear pattern doesn't make sense for normal circulation.

Edit: I guess it's actually two red flags, not one. =)

 

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It's been removed btw.

 

Hmm, I didn't think this one would be removed, as this Thailand seller wasn't doing anything wrong. So much for that then. Should have saved the pics I guess, but really didn't think it would have been closed.