I recently purchased a 1861O One Dollar silver coin. I searched Google and no such coin exsit. I called the Secret Service and left message. Pics are next box down.
There are a lot of fake seated dollars out there. Many from China. Wrong reverse, even. Very poor counterfeit. I don't believe the Secret Service will get involved. It is illegal to sell fakes, though. The seller should refund you.
Since no real 1861-O Seated Liberty dollar exists, can this one really be considered counterfeit? Technically, it's more like a novelty item. If the person who sold it to you represented it as a real coin, you may have recourse to return it, like ldhair says above.
This is very much a controversial grey area in terms of the legalities of selling "fake" coins. This is especially true when it comes to fantasy-type pieces, of which most would agree the one in question here qualifies. Just ask Dan Carr or similar fantasy-coin enthusiasts.
This is a good time to remind ourselves to do our own due diligence before making purchases and that a little prior proper planning can prevent poor performance.
This isn't even in the ballpark of a Dan Carr piece. Dan doesn't CREATE dollars, he overstrikes already minted dollars. Creating dollars is illegal - whether the date was issued or not.
Can you evidence your claim that if I strike a planchet with a dollar value on it, that I'm breaking the law? I am not familiar with this being illegal until I actually try to use it as that said value.
If you see a coin with a seated liberty obverse and a morgan reverse and think it's a real coin, you shouldn't be spending any money on coins. Buy some books first, do some research and learn before you buy anymore coins.
OP.... I understand when that flush of history gets all over you and the coin responsible for making you feel that way suddenly has to be yours...... Unfortunately this seller either knowingly sold you a fake or perhaps was even oblivious himself. Either way, it is a fake. I truly do not believe you will get any satisfaction from the Secret Service as similar pieces have been flowing out of China for years now with little or nothing being done about them. I believe the seller is your only recourse. Now, old coins are truly a marvelous way to connect with history. There are boatloads of affordable genuine coins out there to fuel your fire. Pick up a Redbook and get to know a local dealer. DOn't let this one experience sour you to this wonderful hobby.
Seated dollar with a Morgan reverse. and an O mint? Some heavy partying and time travel in the Big Easy!
