how do you spot fake Trade Dollars, anyway?

I haven't checked the thread in a while and am glad to see it is still getting some use. I note davidh above posted an 1877-s fake that fortunately he returned; it has a type 1 rev which should be an immediate tell. I hope collectors not familiar with the series will read the first few posts to get the "basics" on the coins before buyingone raw. Best to buy graded coins first since fakes abound.

 

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1876-S, 27.01 grams. XF condition, excellent lite gray toning. My relative must have put it away back in the 60's-70's. I'm gonna get it slabbed just to make sure it's genuine. Sentimental value means the most to me.

However, the first time I saw a Trade Dollar was back when I was a 14 year old kid collecting Buffalo Nickels and Lincoln cents. It was in a local coin shop and it was far beyond my price range. I was limited to roll hunting only. Back then Morgan silver dollars were still being used in the Nevada casino's and they were common. Trade Dollars were/are in a league by themselves

 

Stay on coins, and out of politics or world event discussion!

 

It sounds nice. Worth slabbing too

 

can anyone tell me if this 74 cc is genuine? The obverse and reverse seem correct. Only thing is mint mark seems small, not sure if a minute mint mark exists for this date. By the way, i got it in a Littleton frame with an insert. The pawn shop dealer didnt suspect Littleton would have put a CC in it, neither did I. Got it for 115

 

That MM matches known examples. Cruise through the PCGS CoinFacts photos of '74-CC's, and it seems to match up.

What's going on with the EPU banner?

 

With banner, i believe it stuck out more than other spots because of chop mark directly on other side, so it's in higher relief and probably wore down a bit. oh, and it weighed 27.2

Note: i looked closely at that banner part and it seems like an attempt was made to make another chop mark, in a high relief area because of chop mark on other side.

 

It’s real. It’s a known mintmark and position. Everything about the coin screams real to me and I love the reverse toning. I don’t usually like chopmarked trade dollars but I love this one. You absolutely stole it too. I’d send it out to pcgs myself

 

Compare to mine yours is a different reverse die and mintmark position the punch is the same though and the same size letter

 

I really appreciate that. I'm thinking i'll eventually get a membership with ngc or somethig and grade my best coins. Do chop marks hurt a coins value? i dont think it would get a straight grade, but chop marks still seem to sell okay on ebay

 

It gets designated as chopmarked but a straight chopmarked grade if that makes sense. Cac will even approve the rare chopmarked trade dollar and I think depending how they graded it it’s got a chance my grade on yours is au 53. I see it at 50 on a bad day 55 on a good. Mine I posted is pcgs 55.

 

Looked at my neighbor's recent 1871-S specimen. Way too many obviously described anomalies pointed out in this thread. Now, I owe sincere thanks for giving all the pointers, including smallest details. Never having a trade dollar after decades of coin collecting, I'm now exceedingly 'hip' before I acquire my first one!

Thanks for all the great and detailed markers!

 

I'm glad this thread continues to be useful! Thanks for the comment. 'Course if your neighbor had a 71-s TRADE Dollar, the date is kind of a tip off . (Maybe you meant to type 1877-S?)

 

Hello i found some trade dollar coins and have tried to research to see if its a fake but my untrained eyes arent doing very well lol can anyone help me out?

 

Post some pics. I’m happy to help

 

I dont know how to use this site so if im doing it wrong just let me know lol. But thank you in advance for your help, i know its probably hard to see everything in its cardboard holder but i tried to get all that i could of the coin

 

This is a fake.

 

Ok thanks, i have another one if you dont mind taking a look