So, having seen the outrageous prices that some (often fake) coins bring, they want to get a piece of the action. Alert members of the PCGS Message Boards were the first to notify PCGS of the counterfeit coins/holders. While most counterfeit coins are easy to spot -- due to improper weight, color, even design details -- the truth is there are many good copies that have fooled some of the most seasoned coin collectors! Ironically, the fakes out there can degrade or artificially boost the amount of money they may get for their genuine coins. REAL, COMMEMORATIVE, GENERIC or FAKE COINS . Struck Counterfeit Coins: A Family of Struck Fake Draped Bust Dollars. Here's what to look for in order to avoid buying fake coins. ... As I have previously stated in other articles one of the best ways to protect yourself from this type of fake … It's the person that buys it from them who is hoping to sell it for a big profit. Over $3,000 of "gold" coins have been sold by these sellers in less than 24 hours. A genuine coin is used to create a die that is an exact mirror image of the coin. You are making a mountain out of a mole hill of worry with this one. Fake slabs are easier than a really good fake coin to spot. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to make a counterfeit The Fake Pound Coin Database describes this as a “quite an obvious fake” due to its deep edge rim, overly large text and basic ‘blob’ like leaves. Analysis of the metal content showed the coin had a .918 silver fineness, above the US Mint standards for a silver circulation coin of the age. The slightly gold colour of this coin reveals it to be a fake. If the coins are fake they will be composed of copper or a base metal alloy that is plated with a thin layer of gold. As a result, every fake struck from these counterfeit dies will have the same depressions (marks are called “depressions” on counterfeits). Spotting a fake: the pagoda. Fakes contain a number of giveaways when you look at the design of the pagoda on the tails side. With Morgan Silver Dollars as popular as ever, counterfeiters are trying to cash in with advanced forgeries. Even the most obvious fakes can easily fool anyone who is not a trained expert. So, how can you spot a fake Morgan Silver Dollar? All of the counterfeit coins/holders seen so far are coming out of China. Their intrinsic value will be just pennies. Most of the time, you probably can’t. Remember the makers of them don't care, they're making a cheap product they sell very cheaply. Step 1: Read Up on Known Forgeries This includes any and all marks, scratches or other issues on the surface of the genuine coin. They're also older slabs. ANCIENT COINS & MODERN FAKES How To Tell The Difference An Authentication Primer by Dennis J. 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