By looking at this coin how would you grade it? Obviously the chopmarks hurt it, but aside from that what are the opinions?
I'd call it an F if I thought it was genuine. Have you weighed it? The wide rims and the coloration are typical of 22g Chinese fakes
I would beware of this coin without authentication by a Grading Company! Chop Marks can and have been forged to make Trade Dollars appear authentic. The details on the Eagle appear mushy and not sharp and some of the feather details do not look right. Also, the Die Crack extending from the Eagle's beak to the "M" in AMERICA is another technique many Chinese counterfeiters use to make a coin appear authentic. If you are trying to purchase the coin from a local Coin Dealer or off of eBay and the Dealer or Seller will not get the coin certified and graded, then forget the coin and look for something else that you know is authentic. Frank
I wouldn't buy that coin,either. Looking at the reverse, the rims show some spots that make it appear to have been cast. As previously mentioned, the details are waaay mushy. The sash above the eagle on the reverse looks really bad. The marks on the obverse appear to have been done with an electric engraver. I'd steer clear. Here's some links for help.... http://www.coinworld.com/news/102102/news-3.asp] http://reviews.ebay.com/Fake-U-S-Trade-dollars_W0QQugidZ10000000000049445 http://reviews.ebay.com/3-Update-FAKE-TRADE-DOLLARS_W0QQugidZ10000000000991429 http://mywebpages.comcast.net/reidgold/draped_busts/chinese.html
