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Message:: [QUOTE="huntsman53, post: 67811, member: 1242"]Dos Mundos believed that it was a Proof coin since there is no Mint mark which would be correct (if unaltered) since Philadelphia only minted Proof Trade Dollars during that year! However, like you and many others, I believe that the coin is a fake! The indistinct details and lack of sharp edges on both the Obverse and Reverse details are one clue. The graininess look on the lower half of the Eagle's wings and the bumps (extra metal) in the fields below the Eagle's wings are another and are apparently from air bubbles. Also, the darkness from just inside of the stars to the rim (what some would think is dirt, corrosion or toning) is probablyly scorching which is done when the metal (Silver or whatever) is too hot when it is poured into the mold. Many of the Silver coins that were faked (counterfeited) back in the old days were made with metals other than Silver. However, most of the Counterfeiters today use Silver and other metals to fake Silver coins but they usually do not get the composition (.900 Silver and .100 Copper) or the weight correct. This was done to try to dupe Collectors and others that were becoming wise to coins faked with other metals and since it only takes $4 to $5 worth of Silver to fake a $4000 to $10,000 coin, then they feel it is worth it. Frank Sorry! I was writing my post while you all were posting yours.[/QUOTE]