One of these coins is a counterfeit!

I am trying to develop your eye for detail when you look at a coin. The best way to do this IS TO GET THE PERSON TO PUT WHAT THEY SEE INTO WORDS! When you can do that, you'll be amazed at what you start to see.

One of these coins is genuine and one is a counterfeit.

for the first day or two I DON"T WANT TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU THINK IS THE FAKE. That will ruin my entire effort.

Here is the question: Two coins are posted. One is upside down so we can see the same part of each coin. DESCRIBE WHAT EACH COIN LOOKS LIKE.

Fictitious example of how to reply:

1. The coin on the left has a surface that is deeply grooved. The coin on the right has a lumpy surface.
2, The coin on the left is bright. Its luster is blinding. The coin on the right has a mirror surface.
3. ...

Unfortunately, you are dealing with my bad photography so do the best you can. Depending on how many members reply, we'll go to the second part.

 

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My brain doesn't work that way- had to reorient the images to "see" them better...

 

First thing see is the difference between die flow, Luster.

 

I see lines on the left coin that seem to change direction, not radiate from the center as one would expect with flow lines. I also believe that it may not have the same luster as the right coin. I am unsure if it is my imagination or not, but it also looks a little grainier.

The right coin is much more appealing, and mirrors what I would expect in a genuine peace dollar. Namely, the hit on the nose and the squiggly reed mark on the chin. I'm just a little unsure what the gouge(?) on the coin may be. Could it be a strike through? Maybe, based on the texture, but I can't really see how deep it is.

Lastly, it may just be lighting, but the coin on the right appears to have higher relief.

 

1/ Left coin has a muted, dull appearance like a cleaning gone wrong.
2/ Right coin has a sharper more distinct strike.
3/ Left field of right coin has what appears to be a strike through or planchet flaw.

 

Rim and reed distortion, luster, in God on left coin. Brain freeze!

 

1. The coin on the left has hazy fields and what appears to me as a mushy/flat strike at the "L" and the profile.
2. The coin on the right has clean fields and what appears as a sharper, more defined strike at the "L" and the profile. Also, as mentioned above, a possible planchet flaw and bag mark from another coin.

 

Left photo looks dull with mushy details, while the one on the right has sharp features, but then my eyes are having trouble focusing right now.

 

The coin on the right has a ridiculous gouge or lamination in front of the face. That is why it's the legit coin.

 

Evan Saltis, posted: "I see lines on the left coin that seem to change direction, not radiate from the center as one would expect with flow lines. I also believe that it may not have the same luster as the right coin. I am unsure if it is my imagination or not, but it also looks a little grainier."

Those are disturbances in the haze on the coin's surface.

"The right coin is much more appealing, and mirrors what I would expect in a genuine peace dollar. Namely, the hit on the nose and the squiggly reed mark on the chin. I'm just a little unsure what the gouge(?) on the coin may be. Could it be a strike through? Maybe, based on the texture, but I can't really see how deep it is."

Yes

"Lastly, it may just be lighting, but the coin on the right appears to have higher relief."

Yes

longnine009, posted: "The coin on the right has a ridiculous gouge or lamination in front of the face. That is why it's the legit coin."

IMO, that's very poor reasoning. That may not be the case at all. Every characteristic that appears on a genuine coin will also be seen on some counterfeits.

 

What about the forgers view point? Does he want to try and sell a fake that has an obvious problem (to be resisted) as soon as a buyer looks at it, or something that has a chance of sailing through?

 

Several I have have been scratched and/ or artificially weathered to try to add a genuine feel to them and/ or hide the truth...

 

That's a fake?

 

#2 in my inspection. Which coin shows common characteristics of a mint state coin?

 

The coin on the left has less distinct lettering. The surfaces look strange, dull. The edge reeding doesn't rise all the way to the top of the rim (mostly). Everything is more distinct on the right hand coin, and the fields seem to curve gently to the rim and show some flow (die wear) lines. I will add that I have seen fake edge reeding hits on fake coins also.

 

Coin on the right is the legit coin. Rims are struck well, the reeded bag mark on the chin looks good, left coin the reeding is hosed . . . . .

Z

 

Yes...

 

But, but, but, PCGS says "genuine"

 

The coin on the left looks mushy

 

Left- soft details,
Right- crisp

Right - surfaces look die struck
Left - surface looks off