Warning: Counterfeit Silver Coinage out of China

[Professor Marvel]

Warning: Counterfeit Silver Coinage out of China

Ladies and Gentlemen, Madames et Monsieurs, Frauen und Herren 

I am widely crossposting this for educational purposes and to alert the General Populace
of the widespread  Silver Coin counterfeiting going on, of which some of you may already be aware.

Many of us are familiar with so-called "trade dollar" replicas, etc which were
useful to our little game, (allowing us to carry period-correct coinage in our pockets at
a reasonable cost) but now we are seeing a wider reaching replication of
Morgan Silver Dollars and Mexican Silver pesos, and who knows what else.
These fake coins are showing up not only on evil-bay, but at gunshows, flea markets,
etc, and are very often packaged as and being passed-off as genuine silver coins.

Unfortunately, A silver coin is NO LONGER difficult to counterfeit, as we can see below there is a large-scale "replica coin" minting business in China. Whilst the manufacturer may claim they are only making "replicas", the details are identical to the originals, the detail involved is excellent, and these "replicas" are being passed off as "genuine" by unscrupulous sellers. Since the coinage is no longer in circulation, the "replicas" do not come under U.S. Federal counterfeit laws.

-rant-
We have long seen counterfeit and illegal "knock-off" items such as purses, shoes,
illegal copies of CD's and  movies, but this really takes the cake. When added to China's
history of deliberately adulterated food and pet products; poisoned, spoiled, or rotten
food, etc. this should make China's intentions abundantly clear.
-end rant-

http://coins.about.com/od/worldcoins/ig/Chinese-Counterfeiting-Ring/

yhs
prof Marvel

[Caprock Louis]

Thanks for information.   I have been coin collector for 50 years as well as a gun nut.  I find it amazing everything our Chinese friends do to help us in so many ways.  Historically the middle east has been the hub of counterfiets especiallay quality gold.  Now it seems our Chinese friends are there to help in yet another way.  Praise be to Wal-Mart and all of our consumption of cheap products.

Caprock Louis
Lost deep in the heart of Texas and yup even stuck in the past

[Professor Marvel]

I understand they are going to soon be the world leaders in lead-free batteries...they used all the lead in the toys, medicine and pet food...

And, apparently duck eggs. At our local Asian Market there are several brands of "thousand yearold "eggs and one brand proudly proclaims "Now With No Lead!" in English.

yhs
prof Marvel

[Curley Cole]

Counterfiet Update

If ya are interested in the counterfiet coins, the CoinAge magazine that just came out has a couple of articles on that subject. Trade Dollars are not the only thing to suspect..

curley

[Dead I]

I have bought my last antique coin.

[Curley Cole]

How about a picture?

curley

[Doc Cuervo]

Time to nuke china!

[Story]

I actually picked up one of these counterfeits recently - a very nicely worn "silver" Queen Elizabeth II coin dated 1877 ... 
Appears as if one of the Time Travelers screwed up.

[Forty Rod]

A friend showed me several of these that one of his employees bought and asked him if he thought they were real. 

Kid with a wife and baby daughter got shafted for about $300.00 for six coins.

Some were "over-antiqued", if you know what I mean. Front and rear were both worn down, but the edges were still pristene! Also, they were worn in the bottoms of low spots in some places, but the higher spots were still in good shape.  They also seem to be "flatter" than real coins, not so high relief.

Of the six, two were much better than the other four.

[Dead I]

Actually collectors have found a way to identify these counterfeit coins.  The portraits have "slanty" eyes.  Piece of cake to tell'm from originals.

[Cliff Fendley]

Is a Morgan silver dollar not technically still legal currency in this country. If so China is counterfeiting US currency and at what point is our government going to stop allowing this stuff to continue?

Why don't they just print 100 dollar bills?

[yeti76620]

Is a Morgan silver dollar not technically still legal currency in this country. If so China is counterfeiting US currency and at what point is our government going to stop allowing this stuff to continue?

Why don't they just print 100 dollar bills?

I think Iran has got that market covered.....      

I forgot..... Obama TOO!

Yeti76620

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I just came across a really dodgy $1"gold" coin.  Has Lady Liberty on one side, and James Madison on the other!

[Tsalagidave]

I have a couple of samples of these Chinese counterfeits as reference pieces. Since it is a federal offense to sell them, I'll have them destroyed in my friend's forge when the time comes. They use a copper alloy that is similar to silver at first. Also, there is uneven wear on the obverse/reverse.  I use mine as comparison prices to help spot fakes but they come close.

Dave

[Professor Marvel]

I have a couple of samples of these Chinese counterfeits as reference pieces. Since it is a federal offense to sell them, I'll have them destroyed in my friend's forge when the time comes.

If you ever feel it necessary to destroy them, merely "striking out" the face and reverse using an X with a chisel should be sufficient...
yhs
prof marvel

[Curley Cole]

some of them are actually "struck" with appropriate metal and even said weights. There have been several coin dealers fooled. I stated on another thread that at least 40% of coins, bullion and currency on eBuy is fake on any given day.

I collect Morgans, Indian Heads, AE (silver and gold) Canadianmaples and Aussie Kooks and I only deal with known dealers Mostly right here at home (if you are SGV/Inland Empire, Covina Coin is good people. Lee and Tracy will take good care of you.

and if you buy a coin as a replica and it is so designated with copy somewhere on it then it is legal (and this includes all past coinage such and Morgans and Indian Heads. If you want to see some excellent copies go to Ken Potters webpage.

http://koinpro.tripod.com/Repros.htm

here is potters web page, he has some excellent repros and excellent real stuff, and also can explain the difference too.
http://koinpro.tripod.com/
his home page



good luck
curley

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

A friend showed me several of these that one of his employees bought and asked him if he thought they were real. 

Kid with a wife and baby daughter got shafted for about $300.00 for six coins.

Some were "over-antiqued", if you know what I mean. Front and rear were both worn down, but the edges were still pristene! Also, they were worn in the bottoms of low spots in some places, but the higher spots were still in good shape.  They also seem to be "flatter" than real coins, not so high relief.

Of the six, two were much better than the other four.

Back in the 70's at the Canadian Forces Recruit School, the Base Exchange Officer reported that they found a bunch of slugs the size of a quarter in the vending machines from one particular barrack block.  We (MP's) did a barrack search and came up with several rolls that were in a recruit's kit box. The slugs were blank but, were the same size and weight of a real quarter and even had the serrated edges.  The recruit confessed that he bought several rolls of these slugs while on leave in Montreal for $5 per roll.  A roll of real  quarters is worth $10.   We learned from the RCMP that the Mafia in Montreal were behind the phony quarters.