how do you spot fake Trade Dollars, anyway?

I'll post a genuine 73-S for comparison with Rheingold's when he puts up new photos. This is an AU58.

 

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Here are more pics.

 

Thanks for posting larger images, Rheingold. When enlarged they don't show the level of fine detail that I like to see, but I can work with them. I don't see anything about the coin that makes me doubt it's authentic. Wear is about equal on both sides (about 40); strike weakness is pretty typical (eagle's left leg, right wing, Liberty's head/tiara). some weakness of obv dentils as seen around 7 is not unusual. Any particular areas of concern to you? If so, homing in on them with your camera would help.

 

Thanks a lot @ksparrow .
The weight and the diameter is correct so I'm happy with this coin as an upgrade for my Dansco.
I'm fine with xf40.

 

Thanks, I forgot to ask about weight, glad you checked. I think it will be a nice album coin and a tougher date as well. Enjoy!

 

A friend is questioning this one.



Stated "aside from the coin having some issues, there’s faint lettering of TRADE DOLLAR on the obverse and stars on the reverse. The coin weighs right and tests correctly on the Sigma.





Is this a counterfeit? Or an error? Re-struck dollars? Die clashes? I also have a 1875-S and 1877-S with a very similar look".

Images of the 1875-S added for reference.

 

It looks genuine to me, although the chops and contra-coup damage always introduce some element of uncertainty. Is the edge reeding ok too (if not too damaged)?
there was also a thread on the CU forums about trade dollars with those "ghosts" of lettering/stars not too long ago. Issue not explained or resolved.

 

Thanks @ksparrow - would you have a link to the CU thread?
Updated- think I found it: https://forums.collectors.com/discu...trade-error-i-need-help-figuring-this-one-out

 

That's the link!

 

an example of a poor quality fake, malformed letters, mushy strike (note that the flat areas on the design don't correspond to normal wear on a trade dollar); extra raised metal in multiple areas, rim too thin in may areas. weight reported at 25.95g. Posted here on another thread.

 

another fake on eBay, in a fake pcgs slab, spotted by an astute TD collector (not me)

unfortunately I wasn't able to post the obv image, couldn't get it at a useful size. maybe someone with more than my rudimentary computer skills could post it?
link to auction: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1875-CC-Tr...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

It's been taken down !!

 

Here's the obverse >>

 

Very informative post. Enjoyed the lesson thank you.

 

Thanks for posting the obv, Sal. Much appreciated. You can see how the surfaces are grainy, the dentils are terrible everywhere; the eagle's right facing wing is weak (very unusual on a TD) and the feathers have been touched up. Similar look to the obv, but I could see how someone not familiar with fakes or the series could be fooled, especially in a fake pcgs holder

 

What is the size of diameter for real ones or are all genuine ones the same size?
Appreciated.

 

i sure have a lot to learn....... great photos by the way.

 

38.1mm

 

That might be the first fake slab I've seen where the barcode actually matches the cert#.

 

Would appreciate thoughts on this one!


Thanks, Jack.