A large number of Counterfeit Bust Dollars have been showing up lately. Most are dated 1795, 1796 or 1797. (I don't bother with the 1804's since they are all fake, unless you pay $1,000,000+ for a certified one). These 1795, 1796 and 1797 fakes have a common trait. They each have the off-center bust obverse. The 1796 and 1797 is an obvious fake as the US Mint didn't make any off-center busts in that year. The 1795, on the other hand, is harder to spot. The easiest way to spot these fakes is by the dentils at the rim. The dentils on the fakes are surrounded by a collar (raised rim). All genuine bust dollars have no rim edges. Rim edges didn't come around until 1836 when the Mint started using collars in the new steam press. These new counterfeiters have done an excellent job on the rest of these coins. On the more recent 1797 Dollars, the Counterfeiters forgot that the coin was changed to 16 stars on the obverse. Their fakes only have 15 stars. The weight of these fakes are correct, but the surfaces are usually a bit rough with some light pitting. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid buying raw Bust Dollars. The Certified Bust Dollars (Certified by a TPG) cost a little bit more, but at least they're not fakes.