1894 Morgan grade

The trouble is the crooks usually start out by making fake molds or dies from a real coin. Therefore the die variety markers are going to be right. unless the crooks fool with them as they did on one of the 1803 half cents that got through one of TPGs.

Knowing what the real coin look like is one of the ways to catch fakes, but noticing lumps that should not be there is another. Beyond that is the overall fabric of the coin which has to match the original and stuff like the dentiles around the design edge which are not easy to make consistent.

Spotting facts is a learning process for all of us. You can never say you know it all. No one does.

 

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One of the many beauties of the hobby is the constant learning.

 

Hit the nail on the head. I’m learning and gosh you all have much more knowledge of the coin world. I get many different opinions, but you said it all, no one does. Sometimes a post can be out there and you get two words. For a fake one, a novel lol. I just know I’m enjoying going through coins from my dad and other coins and I ask probably dumb questions to some but I have always learned no question is a dumb question! Might not care for the answers but that’s where you go to the books, internet to learn why, what and where. Ok bye lol!

 

This part of the ear is really botched-up, this isn't from any polishing or wear...

 

As a Morgan Dude, I'm really surprised and disappointed that your first reaction mentioned seemed to imply it was just a regular harshly cleaned coin, and made no comment of its counterfeit status until I pointed out the obvious. After that, you seem to be all on board the counterfeit train. Study up, Mr. Dude, because this is a really obvious fake and you should have recognized it immediately.

 

Light hairlines? Shoot, the entire obverse is covered in heavy hairlines.

 

How about not pulling an attitude about it? I didn’t get in your face about it. The initial presentation is harshly cleaned. It was obviously polished to make it look like an authentic Morgan. I guess you’re back to your old tricks—personalizing criticism.

 

Guess your eye is keener than mine.

 

I agree. Mushy details--look at the stars. If the points are not sharp and the coin is not very worn, it's likely a fake.

 

Just tell your friend, to stay away from buying raw key date modern coins online? If that’s what he’s doing, or looking into doing? I dunno the circumstance? This is a good rule to follow. But that’s just my opinion.

 

He got it from a friend who inherited from a deceased father. They know nothing about coins so they asked me to check out a handful. No way of knowing how this coin was acquired since the original owner is deceased.

 

Oh ok, I see now. Gotcha.

 

Go to the optometrist