How to Identify Counterfeit Morgan Dollars

Why Morgan Dollars Are Counterfeited

Morgan Dollars (1878-1921) are prime targets for counterfeiters due to several factors:

• High Values: Key dates like 1893-S, 1895 Proof, 1889-CC can be worth tens of thousands of dollars
• Silver Content: Each coin contains 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver
• Popularity: Massive collector demand makes them easy to sell
• Complex Design: Intricate details make exact replication difficult but also provide many authentication points
• Large Size: 38.1mm diameter provides enough surface for detailed counterfeiting
• Mintmark Manipulation: Common dates can be altered to rare mint marks

Types of Counterfeits

• Cast Counterfeits: Made from molds, often crude with poor details
• Die-Struck Counterfeits: Made with fake dies, can be very deceptive
• Altered Coins: Genuine coins with added or removed mintmarks
• Transfer Die Counterfeits: Using electroforming or other transfer methods
• Fantasy Pieces: Coins that never existed (wrong date/mint combinations)
• Cleaned/Whizzed Counterfeits: Fakes made to look artificially uncirculated

The Most Counterfeited Morgan Dollars

High-Value Dates Most Often Faked

• 1893-S: King of Morgan Dollars, extremely valuable in all grades
• 1889-CC: Key Carson City date
• 1892-S: Low mintage, high demand
• 1895 Philadelphia (alleged proofs): No business strikes known, only proofs exist
• 1894: Low mintage Philadelphia issue
• 1895-O: Scarce New Orleans issue
• 1901: Low mintage, popular date
• 1903-O: Scarce in higher grades
• 1904-S: Key San Francisco date
• All Carson City (CC) issues: Premium values make them targets

Common Mintmark Alterations

• Adding CC: Common date with CC mintmark added (1878-CC, 1889-CC, etc.)
• Adding S: 1893 altered to 1893-S, 1892 to 1892-S, 1904 to 1904-S
• Removing Mintmarks: 1895-O or 1895-S altered to 1895 "proof"
• Changing Mintmarks: D changed to CC, O changed to S, etc.

Physical Examination: Weight and Dimensions

Correct Specifications

• Weight: 26.73 grams (412.5 grains)
• Diameter: 38.1mm (1.5 inches)
• Thickness: Approximately 2.4mm at rim
• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
• Edge: Reeded with approximately 185-190 reeds

Weight Test

The most basic test for silver content and authenticity:

• Use Digital Scale: Accurate to 0.01 gram minimum
• Acceptable Range: 26.7-26.8 grams (allowing for wear)
• Too Light: Likely base metal or silver-plated fake
• Too Heavy: May be wrong composition or cast counterfeit
• Heavily Worn Coins: May weigh slightly less (26.5-26.7g) but under 26.5g is suspicious

Size and Thickness

• Use digital calipers to measure diameter
• Cast fakes often slightly smaller or larger
• Thickness variations indicate casting or wrong planchet
• Edge reeding should be sharp and evenly spaced

The "Ping" Test

Silver coins produce a distinctive sound:

• Balance coin on fingertip
• Gently tap edge with another coin or metal object
• Genuine: Clear, bell-like ring lasting several seconds
• Fake: Dull thud or very short ring
• Limitation: Cleaned, damaged, or environmental damage can affect sound
• Note: Not conclusive alone but useful preliminary test

Examining Surface and Strike Quality

Luster and Surface Characteristics

• Genuine Mint Luster: Rotates in "cartwheel" pattern, appears to flow across surface as coin is tilted. Created by metal flow during striking.
• Artificial Luster: Static, looks painted or sprayed on. Created by whizzing (wire brushing) or chemical treatment.
• Cast Surface: Grainy, porous texture under magnification. Lacks flow lines from striking.
• Transfer Die Surface: May show orange peel texture or unusual granularity.

Flow Lines

Genuine Morgan Dollars show metal flow patterns from striking:

• Radiate outward from center toward rim
• Visible in fields under proper lighting
• Caused by metal flowing during the striking process
• Cannot be replicated in cast counterfeits
• Use raking light (light at shallow angle) to see them clearly

Die Polish Lines

• Fine, raised lines in fields from die polishing
• Normal on genuine coins, especially proofs and early strikes
• Should look natural and appropriate to the die state
• Counterfeiters sometimes try to add these but they look wrong

Strike Characteristics

• Sharpness: Details should be crisp where unworn
• Weakness: Genuine coins often weak on Liberty's ear and eagle's breast; fakes may be weak in wrong areas
• Consistent Depth: Relief depth should be consistent; cast coins often have varying depths
• Edge Strike: Should show evidence of collar die (straight edge with sharp transition to reeding)

Design Details: Obverse (Liberty Head)

Liberty's Portrait

• Hair Strands: Should be sharply defined individual lines, especially in curls. Cast fakes often have mushy, indistinct hair.
• Face Details: Eye should have sharp detail, not look blank or simplified. Cheek should show proper contours.
• Ear: Often weakly struck even on genuine coins, but should show some definition. Completely absent ear is suspicious unless wear is evident elsewhere.
• Coronet/Diadem: "LIBERTY" on headband should be sharp, especially on higher grade coins. Letters should be properly proportioned.
• Wheat and Cotton Wreath: Individual wheat kernels and cotton bolls should be distinct. Leaves should show veining.

Stars

• 13 stars around border, 7 on left, 6 on right
• Each star should have 5 distinct points
• Points should be sharp and evenly spaced
• Cast fakes often have blob-like stars
• Check spacing between stars—should be consistent

Date

• Numerals: Should be sharp and properly formed
• Altered Dates: Look for:
  • Inconsistent patina inside numerals vs. surrounding field
  • Tool marks from re-engraving
  • Slightly different font style between altered digit and others
  • Raised metal around altered areas
  • 8s altered to 3s (1898 to 1893, etc.)

Designer Initial

• "M" for George T. Morgan appears at base of Liberty's neck
• Should be small but distinct
• Proper shape and position
• Some counterfeits omit it or place it incorrectly

Design Details: Reverse (Eagle)

Eagle

• Breast Feathers: Critical authentication point. Should show distinct rows of feathers in layered pattern. Each feather should have definition. Cast fakes typically show mushy, ill-defined feathers.
• Wing Feathers: Individual feathers should be visible with proper gaps between them. Look for sharp quill lines within each feather.
• Tail Feathers: Seven distinct tail feathers should be visible fanning out. Count them carefully—wrong number is a red flag.
• Legs and Talons: Should show proper anatomy with scales on legs and defined talons. Cast coins often have simplified talons.
• Head: Eye should be visible as small dot. Beak should be properly shaped and sharp.

Arrows and Olive Branch

• Arrows: Three arrows clutched in eagle's left talon (viewer's right). Should be distinct and properly bundled.
• Olive Branch: In right talon, should show leaves and olives. Each leaf should have proper shape.
• Ribbons: Binding the symbols should show folds and movement

Wreath

• Combination of agricultural products: wheat, corn, cotton, tobacco, etc.
• Each element should be botanically correct
• Wheat kernels should be individually defined
• Cotton bolls should show proper structure
• Leaves should show veins and proper shapes
• Cast fakes often simplify these complex details

Legends and Motto

• "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA": Evenly spaced around top
• "IN GOD WE TRUST": On ribbon above eagle
• "ONE DOLLAR": At bottom
• "E PLURIBUS UNUM": On ribbon across center
• All lettering should be sharp and properly spaced
• Check for font inconsistencies or poorly formed letters

Mintmark Authentication

Mintmark Locations and Characteristics

Mintmark appears on reverse, below the ribbon, between "D" and "O" of "DOLLAR":

• No Mintmark: Philadelphia (most common for many years)
• S: San Francisco
• O: New Orleans
• CC: Carson City (premium values, heavily counterfeited)
• D: Denver (1921 only)

Detecting Added Mintmarks

• Microscopic Examination: Use 10x-20x magnification to check for:
  • Tool marks or scratches around mintmark
  • Raised metal or burrs from engraving
  • Patina differences (new marks look different from original surface)
  • Wrong font style compared to genuine examples
  • Position slightly off from correct placement
• Size and Shape: Compare to known genuine examples. Mintmarks varied by year and die, but each should match documented examples.
• Depth: Added mintmarks are often too shallow or too deep compared to genuine
• Serif Details: Authentic mintmarks have specific serif characteristics; added ones often get these wrong

Carson City (CC) Specific Checks

CC mintmarks are most often added because of high premiums:

• CC mintmark should have specific size and spacing between letters
• Compare to certified genuine CC examples
• Check for evidence of removed mintmark underneath
• CC coins typically have different surface characteristics than Philadelphia coins from same year
• Reference VAM varieties—genuine CC coins have documented die characteristics

Removed Mintmarks

• Used to create rare Philadelphia dates or "proofs"
• Look for:
  • Depression or disturbance where mintmark was
  • Re-polished area appearing different from surrounding field
  • Lack of normal wear pattern in that location
  • Luster interruption

Edge Examination

Reeding

• Count: Approximately 185-190 reeds (vertical ridges)
• Sharpness: Should be evenly spaced and well-defined
• Consistency: Reeds should run perpendicular to faces
• Cast Fakes: Often have indistinct, mushy, or irregular reeding

Edge Seams

• Cast Counterfeits: Often show seam where mold halves met
• File Marks: Counterfeiters may try to remove seams, leaving file marks
• Genuine Coins: No seams; edge formed by collar die during striking

Edge Thickness

• Should be consistent around entire coin
• Cast fakes may have variations
• Check for added rim or built-up areas (signs of casting or alteration)

Advanced Authentication Techniques

Specific Gravity Test

Determines metal composition by measuring density:

• Genuine 90% silver/10% copper: Specific gravity = 10.34
• Method: Weigh coin in air, then suspended in water. Calculate: weight in air ÷ (weight in air - weight in water)
• Tolerance: Should be 10.30-10.38 (allowing for minor impurities and wear)
• Different Metals: Fakes in other alloys will have wrong specific gravity

Magnet Test

• Silver is not magnetic; genuine Morgan Dollars should not be attracted to magnets
• Steel core fakes will be attracted
• Limitation: Non-magnetic metals (copper, zinc, aluminum) can also fool this test
• Use strong rare-earth magnet for best results

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

• Non-destructive test identifying metal composition
• Used by professional grading services
• Expensive equipment but available at some coin shops
• Confirms silver content and purity
• Can detect silver-plated fakes

Die Variety Attribution

• VAM Varieties: Van Allen-Mallis catalog documents die varieties. Each die combination has unique characteristics (die scratches, clashes, doubling, etc.)
• Match coin to documented VAM variety for that date/mint
• Counterfeiters cannot replicate specific die markers
• Particularly useful for expensive dates
• Resources: vamworld.com and VAM reference books

Ultraviolet (UV) Light

• Some repairs, alterations, and surface treatments glow under UV
• Added mintmarks may show different fluorescence
• Artificial toning often fluoresces
• Genuine coins should show consistent appearance

Chinese Counterfeits

The Modern Threat

Since the 2000s, high-quality counterfeits from China have flooded the market:

• Die-struck rather than cast, making them more deceptive
• Correct weight and size in many cases
• Proper silver content in some cases (still illegal counterfeits)
• Widely available on online marketplaces
• Sometimes sold as "replicas" or "copies" but enter market as genuine

Identifying Chinese Fakes

• Surface Quality: Often too perfect, artificially smooth, or with wrong luster pattern
• Design Details: Subtle differences from genuine—wrong font, spacing issues, design element positions slightly off
• Color: May have slightly different color than genuine silver coins
• Toning: Artificial toning that looks painted on or too uniform
• Die Characteristics: Won't match documented VAM varieties
• Weakness Pattern: Weak in wrong areas (genuine Morgans weak on specific points due to die design)

Red Flags for Modern Counterfeits

• Suspiciously low price for rare date
• Seller has multiple high-value rare dates available
• Coin looks "too good" for the grade claimed
• Listed as "copy" or "replica" in foreign marketplaces
• No provenance or certification

Authentication Resources and Tools

Equipment You Need

• Jeweler's Loupe: 10x magnification minimum, 20x better for detail work
• Digital Scale: Accurate to 0.01 gram
• Digital Calipers: For measuring diameter and thickness
• Good Lighting: Bright LED light, preferably adjustable
• Reference Books: Morgan Dollar guides with high-quality images
• Magnet: Strong rare-earth magnet
• Optional: UV light, microscope, specific gravity testing setup

Reference Materials

• "A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars" by Q. David Bowers
• VAM Catalogs: Van Allen-Mallis die variety references
• PCGS CoinFacts: Online database with high-res images of genuine coins
• NGC Coin Explorer: Similar resource from NGC
• ANA Authentication Resources: American Numismatic Association materials
• ANACS Photograde: Standard for grading and authentication

Professional Authentication

For expensive coins, always get professional authentication:

• PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service): Industry leader, encapsulates and grades coins. Guarantee of authenticity.
• NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company): Second major service, equally respected
• CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation): Verifies quality within grade, applies sticker to PCGS/NGC holders
• ANACS: Longtime authentication service, focuses on varieties and problem coins

When to Get Professional Authentication

• Any coin valued over $500
• All key dates and rare mintmarks
• Coins being purchased sight-unseen
• When buying from unknown sellers
• Before selling expensive coins (buyers expect certification)
• If you have any doubts about authenticity

Buying Safely

Purchase Guidelines

• Buy Certified: For valuable coins, buy PCGS or NGC certified examples only
• Know the Seller: Buy from established dealers with good reputations
• Return Privileges: Ensure you can return if authentication fails
• Reasonable Prices: If too good to be true, it probably is
• Examine Carefully: Always examine raw coins carefully before buying
• Get Second Opinion: Have expensive raw coins checked by expert before purchase

Red Flags When Buying

• Seller reluctant to provide high-resolution images
• Price significantly below market value
• Seller has many rare dates available
• No return policy
• Vague or suspicious provenance
• Pressure to buy quickly
• Seller discourages third-party grading
• Claims coin is "too good to grade" or makes excuses for not certifying valuable coin

Online Marketplaces

• Reputable: Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers, Great Collections (certified coins)
• Exercise Caution: eBay (many fakes, but also legitimate sellers—check feedback carefully)
• Avoid: Sites selling obvious "replica" or "copy" coins that might enter market as genuine

What to Do If You Suspect a Fake

Before Purchase

• Don't buy it
• If from dealer, politely point out concerns (they may not know it's fake)
• Walk away if dealer pressures you or dismisses concerns

After Purchase

• Contact seller immediately if return period available
• Document coin with photos and measurements
• Get professional authentication opinion
• If purchased with credit card, may have fraud protection
• File complaint with appropriate marketplace or authorities if fraud suspected

Reporting Counterfeits

• U.S. Secret Service: Handles counterfeit coin investigations
• Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation: Industry organization fighting fakes
• Marketplace Platforms: Report to eBay, Amazon, etc.
• Local Authorities: For local dealer fraud

Never

• Try to pass it off as genuine (illegal)
• Return it to circulation
• Sell it without disclosure that it's counterfeit

Learning to Authenticate

Develop Your Skills

• Study Certified Coins: Examine PCGS/NGC holders to learn what genuine coins look like
• Visit Coin Shows: Handle many examples to develop "feel" for genuine coins
• Join Coin Club: Learn from experienced collectors
• Take ANA Courses: American Numismatic Association offers authentication classes
• Compare Examples: Study differences between genuine and known fakes
• Focus on Details: Learn the specific diagnostic points for Morgan Dollars

Build Reference Collection

• Acquire certified examples of common dates
• Study die varieties and characteristics
• Keep high-quality reference photos
• Document what genuine coins should look like

Stay Informed

• Follow numismatic news about new counterfeits
• Join online forums discussing authentication
• Read articles about specific fake types
• Counterfeiters continually improve—stay current

Quick Reference Checklist

Every Morgan Dollar Should Pass These Tests