I apologize if such a thread exists. I know that ancient-collectors claim that ancient coins are easier to spot potential counterfeiting while modern-collectors claim that modern coins are easier to spot one. So I wonder whether there are any collectors here who are both ancient-collector and modern-collector at the same time who may want to share their experiments regarding what is easiest of detecting counterfeiting? I have heard both ancient-collectors and modern-collectors, but their views are most likely colored. – Perhaps a double-collector of both ancients and moderns is less colored in his assumptions. When I say “ancient” I am thinking of 500bce-1500ce. - "Modern" are 1800’s and onwards.
Judging by the great job Chinese counterfeiters are doing these days with Morgan Dollars, it is getting to the point where it is almost impossible to tell a counterfeited Morgan from a real one. The same can be said of a lot of other moderns. I've seen some great ancient counterfeits too, don't get me wring. However, the majority of ancient counterfeits, specially the Ebay stuff and tourist coins, are just terrible and extremely easy to tell they are fakes if you even have the slightest idea what it is you are supposed to be buying. I will say that there is on thing no counterfeiter has ever been able to duplicate...if you see an ancient coin with crystallization, it is an ancient coin! I don't think any counterfeiter has ever been able to fake crystallization. It is not something you can duplicate with machine...it just takes thousands of years for it to happen no matter what. Buy whatever you want t buy, modern or ancient. There is no right or wrong...though ancient coins are more pretty
I would say a good fake is hard to spot regardless of when the original was made. Counterfeiters use many methods to artificially age the surfaces to the point where only a seriously trained eye and scientific analysis can tell the difference. To say it's easier to spot fakes of coins made in one era, category, region, etc. is just a distraction from the reality that high quality fakes exist of all of them.
It does seem to be true that 'fakes', both modern and ancient, are becoming harder and harder to distinguish ---the forgers keep finding ways to be ever more convincing....like the artificial aging that 'Numismat' mentions above. So, it's always back to buying from reliable sources offering 'lifetime' guarantees. Once again noting that 'slabbed' coins DO NOT guarantee authenticity!
Right, as I like to say: One should not buy an Athenian owl from any dealer in Cyprus, or a denarius from Shanghai. When it comes to US coins, its probably best to avoid Chinese dealers on Ebay too. I hate singling out a country like that, but the reputation exists for a reason.
I will say that there is on thing no counterfeiter has ever been able to duplicate...if you see an ancient coin with crystallization, it is an ancient coin! I don't think any counterfeiter has ever been able to fake crystallization. It is not something you can duplicate with machine...it just takes thousands of years for it to happen no matter what.
I will say that there is on thing no counterfeiter has ever been able to duplicate...if you see an ancient coin with crystallization, it is an ancient coin! I don't think any counterfeiter has ever been able to fake crystallization. It is not something you can duplicate with machine...it just takes thousands of years for it to happen no matter what. Actually, this is only partly true. In general, the coarser the xls the more evidence that coin is genuine and very old. However, some fakes were struck using less valuable coarsely crystalized genuine coins for the planchet. Also there is a casting characteristic called "spider-web" crystallization that is found on well made fakes both vintage US, Colonial silver Reales, and ancients. The crystallization here is much finer.
I did not write..."I will say that there..." I'm new to this place and wanted to add to the post from Sallent. So sorry for my mistake!
