how do you spot fake Trade Dollars, anyway?

I'll have to get them . Any idea where I could get the Gobrecht Journals ?

 

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http://www.lsccweb.org/EGobrecht.shtml

 

You can join the ANA and get the library to print the articles as the Journal link does not seem to go far enough back.

 

I've been a member for about 5-6 years now . So I'll do that thanks .

 

@rzage The column is posted w/photos on NN site.

You can also Google different date Trade dollars on the net once you know the differences. The major changes occur on 1875, 76, & 77 dated coins.

Things to look for not in the story are the eagle's head feathers and Liberty's dress folds above the knee.

 

For exhibit b, The bottom of the ribbon is not pointing to the left, it's pointing down. You mentioned this diagnostic earlier. Isn't this the best tip off that it's fake?

 

Lucky I have a few of each date to look through . Isn't there another die that has a small blank area on the tail were the feathers are missing .

 

That's no big deal, the die was polished too much. Too bad it didn't happen lower - we could have had a "crippled eagle" or "one leg" variety.

 

Now why didn't I think of that , it was just something I noticed when checking the new types . That would be cool a one legged or no tail design .

 

I found this link:

https://archive.org/details/newmannumismatic?and[]=Gobrecht+Journal&sort=-downloads&page=3

 

I'm getting an error , maybe I have to join and be a member . I'll try that now thanks !

 

Before the newer designations there were two basic types of obverse and reverse one of the tells for the Type 2 obverse was the ribbon pointing down , it pointed left for the type 1 .

 

Try this one:

https://archive.org/details/newmannumismatic?and[]=Gobrecht+Journal&sort=-downloads


I'm not a member either.

 

Cool ! It's working . Thanks !

 

Thanks @skyhawk21 it had the information I needed in journal 61 page 3-5 . Also @BooksB4Coins and @Insider . @ksparrow .

https://archive.org/details/newmannumismatic?and[]=Gobrecht Journal&sort=-downloads

 

Glad to help. I was lucky to stumble upon the link when I was looking for the same issue.

 

I've been a lurker for a while, and figured what better way to start of as a new member then to bring back a dead, but incredibly useful thread!

I'm pretty confident about this TD, but I'd like a second opinion (or more). Everything to my eye looks good, except for the transition from the rim to the denticles.

So in your best guess, is this real or fake? And if real, possible grade?

Thanks in advance!

 

"how do you spot fake Trade Dollars, anyway?"

The same way you get to Carnegie Hall---

Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice

 

If it's not slabbed, it's fake.
If it is slabbed, it might be fake.

 

Michael K, posted: "If it's not slabbed, it's fake. If it is slabbed, it might be fake."

@Beefer518 Welcome to CT. Of course Michael K is making a funny joke. There is a lot of that around here.

Counterfeit Trade dollars have become very deceptive. I collect these coins and there is no way to tell 100% from a photo like yours unless the fake is very crude or the obverse and reverse hubs were not used for that date and mint.

Your coin is probably OK and in the XF to low AU range.