Need help authenticating a Trade Dollar

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Dynoking, Jun 6, 2022.

  1. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    Good morning all,
    This trade dollar is part of a lot being offered at an estate auction. One thing that CT has engrained in my head is do not buy a Trade Dollar that has not been certified by a TPG.
    I have placed the grade of this coin at VF30. The attached picture is the only picture the seller offers. They do not include the reverse. As such I cannot verify the MM. I have made my conclusions comparing it to several trade dollars of both S and CC MM's shown on PCGS and Heritage web sites.
    I have doubts about it because of the:
    left pointer finger is too short
    lack of detail in the brick mortise joints
    lettering of IGWT and Liberty
    slash cut vs rounded bottom leg of the seven
    gap between the head and hair bun
    lack of details in the wheat stalks
    misplacement of the wheat stalk tie
    You comments including explanations of your conclusions will greatly appreciated.
    I added the picture as thumb nail if anyone wants to blow it up. Sorry for the extra attachments.
    View attachment 1485793
    jkmcksh72_IMG_6761.jpeg jkmcksh72_IMG_6761.jpeg jkmcksh72_IMG_6761.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2022
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  3. norantyki

    norantyki CoinMuncher

    Stay away from it - details are off, rims dont look right, denticles are sloppy, wear is suspect, as is the patination. It is a fake. Also, how do they expect anyone to buy a better coin with only one poor photo?
     
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  4. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I look at Lady Liberty's foot. The Chinese tend to get lazy on the foot details. Her foot always looks cartoonish to me on the Chinese copies. I can't blow that photo up, but I agree with your conclusion. I would pass this one by.
     
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  5. mbogoman

    mbogoman Active Member

    1878-S Trade $1 DDR FS-801 PCGS AU53 Trueview_Large.jpg From that crappy picture, you can't tell anything for sure. But...I lean towards real and I grade it XF40-XF45 details. Can't tell enough about the surfaces to make a determination of whether or not they have been messed with, so can't say whether it would straight grade.

    Here is a genuine AU53 1878-S to compare it to:
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2022
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  6. COOPER12

    COOPER12 Well-Known Member

    Hard to tell from this photo.
     
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  7. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    Agreed. I have been going back and forth with that picture all morning. The auctioneer who I have dealt with before responded to my email request for more pictures. That's all she has.
     
  8. potty dollar 1878

    potty dollar 1878 Well-Known Member

    Besides the terrible pictures,ugly dark spotty toning that can hide a lot,I would suggest to steer clear.
     
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  9. Morgandude11

    Morgandude11 As long as it's Silver, I'm listening

    Pass. The proportions look off to me, and the coloration of the coin makes it hard to examine the coin carefully enough. I think it is counterfeit.
     
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  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    It looks off to me. It may be genuine but it’s an ugly coin. No appeal at all. Best to stay away.
     
  11. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Don't I remember seeing a Trade Dollar fake that had LIBARTY on the banner, as this one appears to?
     
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  12. Paddy54

    Paddy54 Well-Known Member

    Pass
     
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  13. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I saw one that said "Lubert".
     
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  14. Sting 60

    Sting 60 Well-Known Member

    That and the left bottom star look off.
     
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  15. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    Too lazy to include an image of the reverse? Immediate pass. I always go straight to the reverse when trying to ascertain authenticity. Counterfeiters are lazy and use the same reverse die for multiple date fakes. It's often the wrong type, different wear, etc.
     
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  16. COOPER12

    COOPER12 Well-Known Member

    What’s the cost on this coin?
     
  17. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    :D I've studied $T for a few years and can add this. IMHO, nothing posted so far in this discussion is of any value o_O at all EXCEPT :bookworm: it is not a good idea to buy raw $T unless you know what you are doing.

    Your photos are not good enough to determine anything of use like __ looks off! ;)
     
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  18. COOPER12

    COOPER12 Well-Known Member

    I will also add there is a nice XF-40 pcgs on the bay for 475 now . You should be able to snag a nice looking XF coin in that range now graded.
     
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  19. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    I included $114 for this coin in my estimate for the lot.
     
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  20. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    Did you have to throw that little dig in?
     
  21. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    :rolleyes: My comment did not apply to the OP which turned out to be YOU! I didn't even bother to read your post past VG-30 because :)oops:.and please don't consider this a dig EITHER) anyone who needs to ask...

    Now after reading your post in full, what do you base your comments on? Finger too short - compared to what? The image is NO GOOD to tell anything - believe me, I tried to help you out.
     
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