I recently came across some old U.S. coins. An 1873 Trade Dollar, an 1845 Seated Liberty Dollar and a 1797 Draped Bust Dollar. Although they have the proper weight, diameter and thickness, they have clearly been cleaned, or are reproductions. If they are reproductions I know they obviously have no value besides bullion value (assuming they are silver). If they are genuine but have been cleaned, do they retain any value besides bullion value? Or does the cleaning leave them at BV? Thanks
They should still retain numismatic value despite the cleaning. It would just be significantly less than what it would be if the coins were original. If you can post pictures maybe we might be able to tell if the coins are genuine and how much value they have.
The coins you mentioned are heavily counterfeited, mostly in base metals, but occasionally with proper alloy. Pictures would be the only way to tell if they're genuine or not.
If (IF) real and regardless of condition, each would have added value. Posting photos will at least be a nice start.
This. All of the coins you mentioned I have seen correct weight and diameter examples of that were counterfeit and made of a white pot metal. Silver is easy to fake since its not that heavy, mix in some lead into the alloy to make weight. Pics would be needed to authenticate the coin. If its a fake, then maybe a jeweler could test it for silver composition. They could be real however. Many of these have been cleaned over the years.
Thanks for the replies. I do not own these coins yet. After speaking with someone who was given coins from his grandfather (or so the story goes) and hearing him say he had U.S. dollars from the 1800's and one from the 1700's I told him to e-mail what he had when got home. Most were Morgan dollars. The three I mentioned in the OP were the only unusual coins and I immediately inquired about the weight and measurements. He quickly responded that they were correct (I doubt he checked, certainly not then, but I have my doubts that he checked at all and just assumed they had to be real). He has no background or interest in numismatics. So I asked for pictures. The pictures are not high quality and the coins do not look good to me. I figured if the measurements were good maybe they were just cleaned. I have almost no experience with U.S. coins and am a relatively new to numismatics in general. The reason I made this post was to get an opinion just in case the weight and measurements are indeed accurate when I view them in person. But if counterfeits can also have the correct measurements/weight than maybe its a bad idea. But I'm sure one quick look at the pictures and you will be able to tell that they are not genuine.
Okay, I figured as much. I was going to view them tomorrow but I think I'll just not waste my time. Thanks again for the replies.