Spotting Counterfeit Morgan Dollars from China

Can you spot the fake Morgan Dollar from China?  Don't be so sure of yourself.  Take a look.

Now, flip it over.  Which one is the Chinese counterfeit coin?  Not so sure now? 

Take a closer look.

If you said the OBVERSE on the RIGHT was the genuine U.S. Morgan Dollar, you're CORRECT.  Congratulations. 

If you said the REVERSE on the RIGHT was the genuine U.S. Morgan Dollar, you're INCORRECT.  You were fooled.  The order of the two examples is flipped. 

Note the graininess in the field just to the left of Liberty's nose.  Subtle differences in the thickness and definition of the coin's lettering begin to emerge to the trained eye.  There is a loss of fine detail.  That's why it's easier to fake a worn coin.  The Chinese example weighs slightly less than the genuine U.S. coin.  However, if you're not holding both coins at the same time to make a comparison, you may not be able to tell any difference.  Also, take a close look at the detail in Liberty's headband.  It becomes faint and slighty distorted in the counterfeit coin.  What you can't see, from just the photographs, is that there is no 180 degree die rotation on the fake Chinese dollar.  And finally, the rims and borders become uneven and appear beaded in the fake.  The genuine dollar's borders (denticles) maintain a strong dental pattern around the entire perimeter.  If you're getting serious about coin collecting, take some time to read about casting, transfer dies and spark erosion dies.

If you found this Guide helpful, please take a second and give me a "yes" vote at the bottom of this page.  I'm working on a coin photography guide (what works and what doesn't work on eBay).  Thank you, Beetleman