1876 Trade Dollar

the more i look at it i want to say its a cast.

 

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Sorry, I don't see a problem with the date.
I could be wrong, it's happened before.
BTW... there were two different "7's" used on that date.
One straight and another with the little tilt to it.

 

Hello
You can use a magnet to test if there is a silver coin. If the silver content is below 60%, it is magnetic.

http://antik-links.blogspot.com/

 

Yep~funny Money

My first glance warranted a magnet/weight test.

If you have a known authentic to compare it to is helpful.

 

That is the best thing to do at this point. The mixed feelings in this thread, is not an uncommon occurrence, particularly with Trade Dollars . Let us know how you make out.

 

I'm going to say an older, cast counterfeit. Modern fakes are die struck and don't have the pebbly surface this coin has.

I wouldn't mind being wrong, though. Good luck.

 

I'm not sure. I have no professional source to quote but it doesn't look right.
Also, the details are all funky. The stars and "LIBERTY" are too sharp for the condition the coin is in.

JMHO

 

My opinion is that this piece is a cast counterfeit. The surfaces look pitted like other counterfeits I have studied.

 

The picture isn't good but I can't see anything about the date from that image which jumps out at me to say it is bad.

That is absolute nonsense. A magnet can only tell you that there is magnetic metals present IF they are present in high enough percentage. It has nothing to do with the amount of silver present. Make one out of coppernickel. It will be silver in color, and the silver content will be less than 60%, like 0%. But the coin will not be magnetic unless the NICKEL content is over something like 80%.

 

Okay, whats the verdict ? We haven't heard back from the owner of the coin I guess. Yeah, As I first stated, I don't see anything ( from those photo's ) which suggests the coin is not genuine. Whether it is the porosity surface visuals nor anything to do with the date. However, we must remember we are looking at a Trade Dollar, which is probably the most counterfeited coin in U.S. Coinage History, aside from some Gold issues . I sincerely hope for the owner, this happens to be a genuine example.

 

I agree with Matt that it is a counterfiet cast piece. The design is soft, the surfaces are coarse & polished over & the metal is not the correct color.

 

The tiny pits in the fields worry me. A better image would be really helpful.

 

With all due respect to those with opinions that differ to mine, has anyone seen a cast counterfeit with denticles spaced this well ?
If anyone has a reference pic of one that is, please lay it on me, so I might learn.
I've been out of the game a year or so and may have missed something.

 

I agree. Also , there are some typical die imperfections that are recognized on this example as well. Personally, I think the coin is a harshly cleaned, polished genuine example. We can dispute the originality of this trade dollar all day long. There is however something to be said for an experienced Dealer's eye. Pictures are often very misleading though. So, I'll commit to my opinion, but reserve the right to be wrong. Funny, we haven't heard from the OP .

 

Yes, quite....
:axemeethead:

 

Looks as if we may not hear from the op. Crazy.

 

I think the problem with the 7 may be that the "hump" on the top is too big and a little lopsided.
Also, the motto just looks wrong.

Here is an 1875-S for comparison:

 

For reference purposes...

http://www.tradedollarnut.com/Home%20Page/Home%20first%20links/dates/1876/1876S.htm

 

I think if you put the two pictures side-by-side (the one of the PCGS-graded coin and the picture in the original post), you will see that the 7 "just isn't right" on the questionable coin. Also, the details in the questionable coin, like the wheat, are mushy, without showing signs of actual wear. I would say that the questionable coin is fake.

 

The color makes it llok cupro-nickel to me