Fake U.S. Trade dollars : eBay Guides

Be it known to all, that 90% of all U.S. Trade dollars on Ebay are fake. 99% of foreign sales are fake. Singapore being number 1, followed closely by Taiwan and China,etc. A real Trade Dollar will weigh 27.22 grams. A couple of tenths less for a worn coin. There are 3 main ways to tell a fake. 1st. The ribbon curls behind ladies head will have holes, where the metal was chipped out of the dies. 2nd.  The eagles eye will be full. 3rd. The reeds on the rim will be close together. On a real coin, the eagles eye will be incused or half shut, if you will. **Take note that there are some very good fakes out there as well as different varieties and these detections may not help in all cases. The Fake coins look worn because millions were made in 1922, and used in the orient in trade.  1/2 billion forgeries were made in the 70`s. The true way to tell is the weight. Fake coins are silver washed over copper, and weigh around 18 grams. Fake commemorative proof coins weigh 26 grams and were put in holders, denoting exactly what they are. People are removing them from the holders and selling them as genuine proofs. Graded coins: People are sending a real coin in for grading to NGC etc. when they get them back, they open up sealed containers and insert fakes and sell them as genuine. There are a few coins that are real. But without the Seller Guaranteeing the weight, you can`t be sure until you receive the coin. Where they get you, with their guarantee, is in the shipping. If in fact you ever get the money back, you lose in shipping both ways. Foreign dealers will make a hearty profit in just shipping costs. BUYER BEWARE!!!      **** I am adding a revision. It has recently come to my attention that new counterfeits of Trade Dollar, silver dollars and halves are coming out of China. These are being made with new dies and they are using the exact composition of metals, encompassed in original coins. Thus, are the exact weight of a real coin.  There are only subtle differences and I personally haven`t examined one of these yet. It is impossible to tell by looking at these on ebay.    My advice is to only buy from a seller you trust. For myself, I got completely out of it and moved on. You can contact me thru one of my sale items. Buz    fnreek915