U.S. Trade Dollar from China.

I won this on E-Bay before I realized it's source was from China. I looked at the feedback and the person appears to be an honest dealer. However, I am concerned about all the fake coins coming out of China and was wondering if there is another method of checking authenticity other than the standard magnet check. All comments about the source, and the coin appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260525491106&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

 

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Its a fake, unfortunately. The "look" is not right, the color is off, and, as you said, the seller is from China to boot.

See if you can get your money back.

BTW, I would only buy these slabbed, contrary to my motto because of the number of fakes out there.

But then I would crack it out

 

Looks like you just bought an education Dave.. Maybe paypal will help you once you get it in hand and announce it for what it is.

A key to spotting the fakes in 74 is the fingers.. You should be able to see 3 distinct fingers holding the stem. also notice the ribbon with Liberty. All the tips should be pointing to the left.

 

I guess we are looking at different feedback! He's not much into coins.

Your coin should weigh 27.22g. I'm guessing it's about 20-21g.

and the legend font isn't quite right either. Did you really think that big a bargain would be available after who knows how many knowledgeable collectors looked at the auction?

 

I noticed the seller moved from Sony-knockoff memory cards to coins recently. I still have a ton to learn about conterfeits, but I looked at the coins he has up for auction now, and they all kind of look alike. Same age, same wear. Same die maker?

 

FWIW, PayPal guarantees they will help.

 

Well, always looking for a bargin.
jiguo15 ( 2845)
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Sorry, I can't figure out what FWIW stands for.

 

His feedback is not horrible, but how much of that is for coins? I managed to find NONE!

 

For What Its Worth

 

I noticed that too about the Sony-Knock Offs which he is selling a ton. I am hoping that the few coins means that he is not into fake coins. You are very observing about the look alike coins. What do you mean about same age, same wear & same die maker ?

 

I find none either. It apppears he is not much into coin sales, which I am hoping is a good sign. The bad feedback he had was always corrected by his refunding or correcting the orders.

 

Sorry, but imo the coin's a counterfeit. From the pics the biggest giveaway that it's a counterfeit is the rough/bumpy fields. Btw while he hasn't sold coins in the past, it seems he has just run into a bunch of classic coins. He currently has 11 coins up, including 1 or 2 other trade dollars.

 

Since the buyer has to pay return postage, I wonder what it will be registered and insured to China. I agree it looks bogus.

Jim

 

In my "day job" I look at documents that have been submitted, looking for patterns of fraud or forgery. So my first thought was to look at his other auction coins, and they just seemed similar. But people tell me I "see fraud" in everything, so it just may be me.

 

Thanks Jim, Good advice, which is what I normally get from Coin Talk.

I'll be sure to check these pointers out when and if I ever get the coin.
I'll also try to post some pictures.

 

call paypal right away and ebay

they will refund your money and kick the seller off for selling phony crap, there is no question this is fake and you won't need to return coin, keep so yu can learn to spot them, and avoid raw coins if possible untill you become better at spotting fakes and if your spending alot on a coin I would only buy NGC,ANACS, PCGS or ICG slabbed coins

 

Since these trade dollar fakes weight a little less, does anyone have an idea how much silver content they have?

 

My guess is none. They use a lead alloy that has the same density as silver, and then likely silver plate it, so it looks silvery. BTW, trade dollars are one of the most counterfeit coins coming from China....I say avoid them.

 

The plated ones (a small minority) contribute about 1g per 1000 ozs. to the weight.