How can I tell if a 2 1/2 dollar gold Indian head is real or counterfit? I'm new to coin talk,l hope I posted this in the right place.
You cannot tell by weighing them or testing them for gold purity, as the counterfeiters have perfected their craft well enough to render those methods ineffective. You must know both the design and the minting process inside out.
Only way for sure is getting it graded, but several here know them well enough to spot most fakes. Post a picture.
Some Mideast fakes are so good you must know the series . There is a book "United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide " By Bill Fivaz that has the tells for many of these top fakes . Most are tool marks and depressions that were on the host coin . Best way is to look for known die marriages and compare mint marks , their placement and formation . Also buy from a reputable place or buy slabbed .
Frankly I wouldn't go with Indian gold unless graded/slabbed or it was from a dealer whose skill in detecting counterfeits I had trust in. It's just not worth the risk otherwise.
