American Silver Eagle Question

Hi, I just picked up 2 American Silver Eagle coins. One of them has the year 2003 and the other has the year 1816 and is not in great shape. My question is about the 1816 year coin. I am wondering if this coin is fake? I don't have a scale or a tool to measure the coin correctly but I can tell that the coin looks thinner than the 2003 coin and the 2003 coin feels a little bit heavier. I went to wiki web page and they are saying the first coin released was in 1986. So I'm not sure what I have here. oh yeah the 1816 coin does say 1oz fine silver.

 

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Well, one thing is certain. It's definitely not an SAE. The first SAE was released in 1986 as you learned. I don't know what it could be. Maybe it's worth something or maybe not. This is why it is so important for you to do a little homework before you pull the trigger.

Can you post photos of both sides?

Chris

 

Yes, I am going to get the pics up asap. I know the guy I bought it from and he wasn't to sure about the coin either. I wasn't going to take the coin but he said if I could look into it and if its not real he will give me my money back. So I think I'm OK if it is fake.

 

I hope the pictures came out OK. First time uploading pictures, I might need some tips on taking better photos.

 

The 1816 is definitely a replica of some sort. it looks like it's cast as well.

 

You should weigh the 1816 dated piece. It may not be silver even though it's labeled as such.

 

I guess thats the next thing I need to do. I just need to find someone with a scale as I don't have one yet.

 

It's possible that someone altered the date on a real SAE. The first thing you would need to do is get it cleaned up a bit and examine it under a microscope to determine if the date was glued or soldered in place.

Chris

 

The numbers in the date aren't consistent.

 

that is awesome!

I want one now....

 

You want what, a scale, a microscope or a fake coin?

 

The guy that made this design of Liberty was not alive in 1816.
If it's actually silver, it would be called a silver round. Worth about melt value.
To me it looks like a cast copy and probably not silver.

 

Another thing you could do is to take it to the local jewelry store and have them test it. It'll mess up the coin a little but, you'll know for sure if it's silver or not.

 

the coin has alot of wear but I can tell that the date has not been tampered with. I called a coin shop they say it is fake.

 

It is most likely a cast. And I don't get it, if someone is gonna make a fake they might as well do it with a date that the coin actually existed!

 

I have weighed the coin and it does not weigh the 31 grams. It was 22 or 23 grams. I would like to find out if there is silver in the coin so I will take it to a coin shop to test it. Thanks for for the help.

 

Like how you could probably get a "real" 1933 quarter from china?

 

All three pretty pleeze.