how do you spot fake Trade Dollars, anyway?

Hi, your trade dollar looks genuine to me, and I agree with a 40 to 45 grade. The "lines" I think you are referring to are die cracks around the lettering on the outside of the reverse, very common on these. Edge reeding looks right too. Nice example, thanks for posting.

 

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Many thanks to both of you!

 

Bit of a railroad rim happening there, too?

 

I would say get a copy of all of Bill Fivaz's books on coins. They have much information on such. He and Stanton had many books that all should have to use in this hobby. Another good book is Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins by E. C. L. Press, Inc. Doubleday One of Bill's book is, Counterfeit Detection Guide1997, it has 51 pages. If anyone needs the information let me know.

 

adding some picture of my Low quality fake Trade Dollar for some more images. I understand a lot of these came home with Vets from Vietnam

 

That’s a laughable fake

 

75-s real. I’d go vf-35-xf 40. I can’t tell if it’s got an old light cleaning or just the photo exposure as the surfaces look a little light.

 

DEAD

DEAD LINK

 

That's because the link is from an ebay auction from 11 years ago.

 

Again thanks for the help with the last coin. Happy that it seems genuine.

What about this one? I have my doubts. Would be happy to hear your thoughts. Btw: the scale is not very great.

Many thanks in advance!

 

Don't think so. Weak and uneven denticles, mushy stars, raised blobs in the obverse field behind the head, and the whole design looks wrong. I'm no specialist in Trade dollars, but this sure looks like fakes I've seen of other issues.

 

I agree with jeffB, also letters look "fat," and the hand holding the branch appears to have only 3 fingers instead of 4. Here is a genuine 77-P, AU50 (and well struck for this issue).

 

Many thanks!

 

It is me again looking for help. I am still beginning to spot the problems which identify counterfeits, so I would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance!

 

The 73-cc is clearly a fake, all the details are mushy, I have doubts about the 75 CC but the images don't enlarge when I click on them. Large pictures would help as well as an image of the edge reeding.

 

Curious on opinions on this coin, I am new to the hobby but learning about counterfeit trade dollars makes me suspicious.

 

Looks good to me. Did you check the weight?

 

Not in hand unfortunately, just going off pictures to potentially purchase. The pitting and lack of some detail has me concerned.

 

The photos may just be suboptimal. An in hand inspection may look totally different. With this being a very common issue, you can avoid the stress by buying one already graded from any of the main 4 grading services.

 

73-cc fake. 75-cc most likely fake but higher quality. Weights always important on these. 77-s looks legit but a ground found. Maybe wait for a better example unless cheap