I am just starting to collect Morgans after a good percent of my Trade Dollar collection was completed, but I am now suspicious that some of my Morgan Dollars may be fakes. These are two images of Morgans that I recently bought off off the internet. Is it fake and what is its likely grade?
First test is try a magnet on it to see if it sticks to it. If so FAKE. Second test is to check around the rim area to see if it looks like it was made in a mold. Usually molded FAKES are made with lead & non magnetic.
I'd really, really like to see better photos; any chance you could kindly post some? First, it looks ungodly terrible.... yet something tells me it might be (or should I say have been) a genuine coin, but heavily and poorly worked on. Either way, if you truly purchased this at any sort of premium and as a collectible, it was an unfortunate move.
I am just breaking into Morgans so forgive me for my lack of knowledge. I will post pictures once I actually get the coin. Those were the pictures on the website. It was listed as a DMPL.
Since you're new to Morgans, I don't recommend buying raw coins on the internet. You should stick to certified coins by NGC, PCGS and maybe ANACS. Once you are able to familiarize yourself with what a legitimate coin should look like, then you are less apt to waste your money on counterfeit coins. Chris
Slabbed coins are always good for two things -- someone with experience says it is for real and it has not/has been cleaned or otherwise altered.
Hope you didn't overpay for it. It's really hard to say for absolute certain though without seeing clear pics. If you're new to Morgans, you came to the right place.
I see a dmpl morgan but the pics do look a little "enhanced". What are you guys thinking, that it could be a California special?
What am I missing? It isn't even 4am yet and I've barely started my coffee but I'm not seeing a counterfit. Am I blind?
No. I'm seeing one terrific 1883-O. Don't know how reflective it is, but it's a heck of a coin. Anyone who knows how to interpret scanned images can see that.
The Morgan looks nice for a DMPL, but the bruising on the face looks pitted. Would like to see several more pictures at different angles.
"Morgans that I recently bought off off the internet". Were they on ebay? Do you know if the dealer is reputable?
I think it's real , but I haven't compared it to any known die marriages for the date , with that said I agree with Books that it has been "enhanced" in some way maybe puttying or in another way . Will wait on the in hand pics to make a final judgement . I also say if you don't know the series buy from a reputable dealer or buy a slabbed coin .
It has a cameo look to it, which was rare long ago. Used to be, only the first coins on a new die were frosted before the die wore. That is why frosted cameos were. and still get, premium prices. Nowadays, its to be expected. I am no Morgan expert, but I feel the same as the poster who asked why this was not in a slab. Authenticating and verifying make a coin of this nature several orders of magnitude more valuable.