View the forgotten women whose beauty metamorphosed to Lady Liberty on our coins. I bring them to life so that we remember Anna Willess Williams, teacher and philosopher, and Teresa de Francisci, model. Anna was a classic beauty (inside and out) and Teresa, a Mediterranean immigrant who became the American symbol of freedom and worldwide peace. Proxiblog will be posting again on Jan. 2, 2026.
Proxiblog Year-End Review
We’ll be back on Jan. 2, 2026
Proxiblog had 170, 200 views; 113,600 unique viewers; and thousands of followers on Facebook, YouTube and social media. The site now is considered one of the top coin blogs with stellar reviews about our illustrated coin term and error directories, counterfeit articles and hobby posts. View this video about the top articles and contributors.
Fake 1914-D Cents
The most counterfeited coin is the 1909-S VDB; but the 1914-D Lincoln Cent actually has a smaller surviving population. This makes the 1914-D a prime target for counterfeiters.
The 1914-D Lincoln cent, scarce in high grades, is often faked by altering dates (i.e. 1944-D) or adding mint marks.
Look for a large gap between the “9” and the second “1” in date. 1944-D cents are commonly altered to appear as 1914-D cents, but this leaves too much space between the first two digits and the last two digits.
See this example from NGC:
Weight is important. a genuine 1914-D should weigh in at 3.11 grams. Counterfeits are usually lighter or heavier based on the metal used for the fake coin.
Key die markers include a diamond-shaped or crisp “D” mint mark.
Here is what an authentic D mintmark should look like:
Here is a counterfeit mintmark:
Let’s see them together so you can tell how to identify a counterfeirt:
The genuine mintmark is crisp; the counterfeit, mushy.
Compare the position and shape of the mintmark to known genuine examples. Added “D” counterfeiters often use wrong mintmark style and position. Example:
Also look for evidence of die polishing, especially on Lincoln’s coat lapel, common for this date.
Finally, authentic 1914-D cents do not have VDB anywhere. Those initials used to appear on the reverse in some 1909 cents; but that was removed because it called too much attention to itself. No designer initials appear in 1914. The VDB was restored under the shoulder of Lincoln in 1918.
If you have any doubt about a raw 1914-D, do not purchase it because of the predominance of counterfeits. Spend your money on a slabbed example from PCGS, ANACS, CAC or NGC. If you have a raw 1914-D Cent, send it in for authentication. That will ensure a sale when you are ready to sell.
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Full Step 1968-1970-S Jefferson Nickels
Jefferson Nickel role hunters should be on the lookout for valuable 1968-S through 1970-S full-step rarities, often overlooked and sometimes even confused with proof strikes. True, these are ultra rarities; but looking for them sharpens the eye and several dozen or more may still be at large in bank rolls.
In 1968, the “S” mintmark for Jefferson nickels was reintroduced for circulating coinage after a hiatus from 1965 to 1967. During that time, the Mint prohibited mintmarks due to coin hoarding, pursuant to Coinage Act of 1965, meant to alleviate a coin shortage and to discourage hoarding of silver coins.
Mintmarks were restored to circulating coins in 1968. In 1971, the San Francisco Mint struck only proof nickels.
The purpose of this article is to call attention to values associated with business strikes for those critical years. Also, newer hobbyists in general should be able to distinguish the difference between mint state business strikes and proof strikes.
Let’s begin with proof strikes for these years. These largely have no value unless PR69 deep cameo.
The San Francisco mint was extraordinarily busy making business strikes: 1968-S mintage: 103,437,510; 1969-S mintage: 123,009,631; and 1970-S mintage: 214,464,814.
Because of huge quotas, dies weren’t swapped out as they normally would, meaning deterioration limited the number of full-step coins. Only those at the beginning of the manufacturing process produced those rarities.
In fact, you will not find a 1969-S nickel with full steps. f you find one, you bagged the unicorn. None are thought to exist, although this ANACS example was offered in 2009 by Heritage Auctions. A reserve of $1200 was put on the coin, but it did not sell.
There is a reason it did not sell. I question whether this even has full steps. It definitely would not crossover to PCGS or NGC:
That said, PCGS has holdered 25 full-step 1968-S and 106 full-step 1970-S. NGC has holdered 13 1968-S FS and 36 1970-S FS.
See this PCGS chart for values:
True, you might not be able to find a full-step 1968-S through 1970-S. Nevertheless, knowing the rarities of these dates and the enormous mintages of each, it still is worth checking, even if only to distinguish the business strike from the proof strike.
Concerning other denominations:
The San Francisco Mint struck business strike and proof cents from 1968-74, with the facility shifting to producing proof coinage for collectors after 1975. The San Francisco Mint also produced business strike Roosevelt dimes from 1946-55 but did not produce circulating dimes between 1968 and 1974. The facility produced quarters and half dollars from 1968 through 1974. After 1975, the California Mint produced proof coinage, with business strikes in some years for collectors.
Finally, the San Francisco Mint made Eisenhower dollars from 1971 to 1978, but did not produce copper-nickel business strikes during all of those years. It also minted business strike dollars later with the Susan B. Anthony series.
If you like posts like this, please go to our counterfeit archive with reports from Jack Riley, Jack D. Young and Michael Bugeja. Also, please subscribe so you can get our weekly newsletter and be informed whenever there is a new article or column.
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Struck Counterfeit 1875cc C-17 Trade Dollars
By Jack Riley
This started on December 26, 2024, when I stumbled across an eBay listing of two Trade Dollars. Both “Bodybagged” by two separate TPG services. NGC returned one as “altered surfaces” and PCGS as “questionable authenticity.” Upon reviewing the images and referencing John Coxe’s attribution guide to Trade Dollar varieties, they didn’t match any known variety.
After a while of internet browsing I stumbled across a Heritage Auction listing of this previously unknown variety. After correspondence with John Coxe, I learned this new genuine variety is to be listed as the 1875cc C-17 when the SSDC site is updated as the last update was in 2022.
NGC example
PCGS example
Now to the coins! Not only did these two match a C-17 but they shared a number of circulation marks indicative of counterfeits. Interestingly both passed a sigma test for 90% silver, along with weight and dimensions being within tolerance of genuine Trade Dollars.
Sigma Metalytics test
Upon review of the obverse, I found there are a number of characteristics indicating these are struck counterfeits. I highlight three primary pickup points of the obverse to distinguish these from genuine counterparts.
- Indentation in the denticle below the base of 1
- Depression in the center below Liberty’s knew
- Field depression adjacent to the star and forehead
Reviewing both examples, the reverse shares a number of repeating circulation marks. However, many are minute and difficult to photograph. Primary pickups are as followed:
- Linear depression of the 9 in “900”
- Diagonal line through “R” in the motto
After sharing these with my friend Jack Young another example surfaced on Ebay a short time later. Now residing in a private collection it is safe from the market!
In preparation of this updated article an example surfaced on eBay certified by PCGS. This is the only example I have seen of this in an authentic TPG holder. It is noteworthy to mention the certification photo indicates it was certified in PCGS’s Chinese facility.
With only a few of these struck counterfeits being seen within the last year, it is safe to assume more exist and may already be in private collections. While the genuine variety itself appears to be scarce, it is unlikely to stumble across one of the struck counterfeits, but nothing is impossible. Actually a very easy variety to spot with CC set further right than any other variety of the date along with a hub break of the “I” of “UNITED”.
If you like posts like this, you can read more articles on counterfeit coins by Jack D. Young, Jack Riley and Michael Bugeja at this URL. Also, please subscribe so you can get our weekly newsletter and be informed whenever there is a new article or column.
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You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.
AI can compose false rarity affirmation
Recently a Facebook coin group member posted a notice stating that he had found the coveted 1982-D Small Date bronze cent–verified by PCGS! Only two have been discovered, in 1916 and 1919, although social media has used the rarity to lure newbies into thinking that have the variety or that it can easily be found.
Here is what he wrote:
“This right here is for everyone that doubted me … chew that up and swallow it. no I’m not gonna be a jerk. I’m super excited. I have proved the 1982D small date with the weak D mint mark and a QDO. And a TDR it has now been verified and authenticated by PCGS as a new variety.”
He provided this proof:
Some 180 Facebook coin group members commented on his post. Here’s a snippet with Tyler Broughton noting the inconsistencies of his supposed PCGS email:
True, the person may be just hoping his submission brings the desired result. We all have been there. But what to make of the letter? It is seemingly informed and may have convinced viewers that indeed, the person did find the rarity. Many commentators congratulated him on his lottery-level find.
Without divulging his name, or the Facebook post and email, I contacted PCGS. A representative confirmed that the company would never send an email like this in advance of encapsulation. There is no Express/Gold service level. There is no Variety/Plus team (that’s NGC). Neither would it divulge internal means of certification.
Let’s take a breath.
It may be that this person indeed found a rarity. For his sake, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he so believes in his diagnostics that he is sharing the good news before he gets any news. That, however, is not the point of this article. This is: How do we as hobbyists deal with a verification email that might sway us to believe that a coin, indeed, is an ultra rarity? Suppose we saw an email like this on a coin that we might want to purchase? Is this a new way to fool mhobbyists?
My answer was ChatGPT. I fed AI a few basic facts, the rarity, the date of submission, the service level and a few other details. It took me 2 minutes. Here’s what I received:
This is a chilling discovery–not of a rarity–but of how a rarity can be disguised with a fake email or letter, courtesy of AI. I won’t do this, but I could have found PCGS letterhead and pasted the above there. I could invent an email from PCGS–even with an employee name. I could no any number of things, and machine intelligence would help me.
We as hobbyists have to be on top of every new method to beguile us. This may only be the start with AI providing fictional text, video and images of our fondest numismatic desires.
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NOT NGC 1909s VDB
By Jack Riley
My daily internet browsing yields some interesting finds. Occasionally some nice varieties and of course a number of counterfeits. On my routine search of counterfeit 1909s VDB cents this example surfaced.
As we recommended to all collectors when looking at third party graded coins to always check the cert number. The cert matches an NGC authenticated example.
I shared the images with fellow Proxiblog contributor Jack Young and he made this collage image. eBay counterfeit example on the left and genuine NGC example on the right. Quoting Jack “A swing and a miss.”
So this obviously is not a genuine NGC authenticated example, nor is this a legitimate NGC holder! So one may ask “Is the coin real?” Well, no it isn’t. The images provided were very blurry and difficult to distinguish which related “family” it belonged to. What is visible and discernible is it shares a common obverse that is mismatched across the series with an indentation on Lincoln’s lapel.
The 1909-S VDB is the most counterfeited coin exported from China. In addition to fakes, they make die stuck replicas–sometimes with all die markers, sometimes not. It takes an expert eye to detect them. And as I now show, they sometimes come in NGC and PCGS fake holders.
Checking the cert is important. NGC shows photos of its slabbed coins. PCGS shows photos only if TrueView accompanies the coin. That makes China fakes in PCGS holders suspect. Often, however, the counterfeit holders lack accurate bar codes and other insignia.
The best way to guard against buying a counterfeit coin is to purchase one from a reputable dealer. Barring that, view my and Jack Young’s and Michael Bugeja’s articles on counterfeit coins published by Proxiblog.
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You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.
5 top 1880-P VAM Rarities
Five valuable VAMs exist for the 1880-P Morgan dollar whose working dies differed from each other significantly, resulting in their being listed among popular “Top 100” VAM list.
For those unfamiliar with VAMs, a directory of die markers named after numismatists Van Allen and Mallis, see this introductory article by Jack Riley.
Not all VAMs are valuable; thousands exist across the Morgan dollar series, but only a fraction command significant premiums.
The specific 1880-P Morgan VAMs covered in this article–each with their own unique PCGS number–are:
- 1880 VAM 6 8/7 Spikes
- 1880 VAM 7 8/7 Crossbar
- 1880 VAM 8 8/7 Ears
- 1880 VAM 9 8/7 Stem
- 1880 VAM 11 Checkmark
We will look at each one with photos from VAMWORLD and information about value.
1880 VAM 6 8/7 Spikes
The “spikes” are readily seen above the “8” with another die marker on the “0.” This retails for about $65 in XF40; $180, AU55; and $1,140, MS63.
1880 VAM 7 8/7 Crossbar
1880-P VAM-7 Crossbar overdate is one of the most difficult to identify and rarely found in high grades. VAMWORLD advises to look for the horizontal line crossing the top of the second 8 of the date. Values are XF40, $185; AU55, $485; and MS63, $5,500.
1880 VAM 8 8/7 Ears
The second 8 in the date has two short ears on top. Values are XF40, $1,250; AU55, $5,500; and MS62, $15,500.
1880 VAM 9 8/7 Stem
VAMWORLD states the second 8 has raised metal on right side of upper loop and bottom loop has faint outline 7 stem with raised metal at top right. Values are XF40, $65; AU55, $100; and MS63, $240.
1880 VAM 11 Checkmark
Note the doubled “880” with remains of 7 showing on the upper left surface of the second 8, creating that checkmark. Values are AU55, $90; MS63, $185.
While many 1880-P coins exist in circulated condition, the above VAM varieties are rare in pristine mint state, prooflike and deep mirror.
Also, if seeking to purchase one of these varieties, your best option is to find one slabbed by PCGS. NGC, ANACS or CAC.
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Fake “Droopy T” 1908-S Indian Cents
By Jack Riley
This article examines two counterfeit 1908-S Indian Head Cents identified from listings by a single seller on eBay . In addition to these examples, the same seller also offered a counterfeit 1877 Indian Cent alongside a small selection of genuine coins. It remains unclear whether the seller was aware of the inauthentic nature of these pieces. Presented below are images of the two counterfeit coins in question, along with a confirmed counterfeit specimen provided courtesy of NGC for reference.
Subject example #1
Subject example #2
Images Courtesy of NGC
This specimen is one I had previously encountered but had not formally documented until the preparation of this article. It is important to mention the NGC example exhibits a different reverse from the other five examples illustrated, suggesting the existence of an extensive “Family” with interchanged dates paired with various reverses. This focus of this study is specifically on the 1908-S.
As illustrated in the comparative images below, all examples display several consistent repeating marks. Most prominently, a deformation of the “T”, in “LIBERTY”–wherefrom this counterfeit derived its informal moniker, the “Droopy T.” That serves as a key diagnostic.
Additional recurring characteristics include two incuse lines through the base of “AMERICA”, a raised dot right of “O” and a small spike protruding from the bust. The reverse has been observed paired with multiple obverse combinations, one of which is anticipated to be featured on Proxiblog in the near future.
Additional examples–three in total–have surfaced on various online marketplaces, with some proving considerably more deceptive than their counterparts.
A detailed close-up collage below illustrates the previously noted repeating obverse diagnostics, including:
- The distinctive “Droopy T” in STATES
- Dot right of the letter “O”
- Intersecting lines through the base of “AM”
- Large prominent spike protruding from Liberty’s bust
Once again, this counterfeit family reminds me to advise newer collectors to follow these general guidelines:
- If you are ready to bid hundreds of dollars on a coin, resist buying a raw one and shop for one holdered by PCGS, NGC, ANACS and CAC.
- Be especially careful when purchasing raw coins from eBay and other online venues. TAI bots cannot detect counterfeits, so you are on your own.
- Make sure the seller takes returns and has good reviews. Also, the number of positive reviews is a good indicator. If someone has 0 sales or even fewer than 100, do not take a chance.
- Weigh the coin and go to PCGS CoinFacts for the date and mintmark, checking your coin against weights and dimensions.
- Read this article about detecting counterfeits.
If you like posts like this, you can read more articles on counterfeit coins by Jack Riley, Jack D. Young and Michael Bugeja at this URL. Also, please subscribe so you can get our weekly newsletter and be informed whenever there is a new article or column.
Proxiblog also has more than a thousand friends and followers on Facebook Coin Groups and thousands more across YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.
You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.
The Flowing Hair Half Dollar
By Susan Blumlein Amodeo
A Flowing Hair half dollar from my Great Grandfathers collection always amazed me. The tattered remains of Lady Liberty and a featherless silhouette of an eagle are some of the characteristics that endear this 230-year-old coin to me. I can’t imagine the many hands it passed through, or the type of purchases made. It makes one think “if only coins could talk.”
The Designer Robert Scot:
Robert Scot was born in 1745 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was trained as an engraver, watchmaker and silversmith in England before coming to the United States in 1775. When Scot was about 30 years old, he immigrated to Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 1780, under Governor Thomas Jefferson, Scot moved to Richmond (the Capital of Virginia) as an engraver to the Commonwealth. Scot and his family were Free Quakers, a sect that supported the Revolution; therefore his work reflected the ideals of unity, liberty, and rebellion (which were at the core of the American Revolution). During the turbulent times of the Revolutionary War (1775-1783,) Richmond was burned and destroyed by the British. This led Scot to move to Philadelphia in 1781 where he set up a small shop. He started engraving for Robert Morris the Superintendent of the Office of Finance for the United States. His portfolio was large and impressive including engraving books, medals, seals, currency, stamps, and maps.
On November 23, 1793, Scot was commissioned by George Washington to be the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, after the non-commissioned engraver Joseph Wright died from yellow fever that very year. Throughout the years Scot designed many coins, such as the Liberty Cap Half Cent, Draped Bust Half Cent, Draped Bust Large Cent, Matron Head Large Cent, Flowing Hair Half Dime, Draped Bust Half Dime, Draped Bust Dime, Draped Bust Quarter, Flowing Hair Half Dollar, Draped Bust Half Dollar, Flowing Hair Dollar, Draped Bust Dollar, Capped Bust to Right Quarter Eagle, Capped Bust to Right Half Eagle, and Capped Bust to Right Gold Eagle.
PCGS Coin
Flowing Hair Half Dollar Design
Congress’ 1792 Coinage Act (also known as the Mint Act) standardized American coinage. The Act provided a framework for design and production and called for the obverse image to be “Emblematic of Liberty” as well as using the word “LIBERTY” and year. The reverse was to be inscribed with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and have a “Figure or Representation of an Eagle.”
Scot portrayed Liberty as a right-facing youthful female with “flowing hair” to represent freedom. The word LIBERTY appears on top of the coin, while 15 six-pointed stars around represent the number of states in the Union (eight to the left and seven to the right). The date is located at the bottom. The reverse illustrates a small eagle with spread wings perched, surrounded by laurel branches. The border displays the motto “The United States of America.” The edge is inscribed with “Fifty Cents or Half Dollar” with decorative symbols between the words. Interestingly, this was also the first time three different denominations in silver had the same design: the Dollar, Half Dollar, and Half Dime.
Mintage and Varieties
The Coinage Act of 1792 not only regulated coins but created the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The mint produced 23,464 half dollars dated 1794, and 299,680 dated 1795. The obverse was later replaced by the Draped Bust portrait of Liberty; thus, the Flowing Hair half dollar was only minted for 2 years. They weight was 13.48 grams with a 32.5 mm diameter with a thickness of 2.15mm. The composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, although many sources round up to 90% silver. In fact, it was not until 1836 (a transition year) when dollars and half dollars were 90% silver.
Most of these half dollars were coined from dies having a master bust with a single line to mark Liberty’s portrait. They were then manually struck on adjusted planchets, leading to notable differences in coins weight and thickness. This led to a variety of types with a total of 19 obverse and 22 reverse dies known to have been used in various combinations. This resulted in about 32 die marriages (pairing different obverse and reverse dies together). A few sought after easily noticeable variations include: 2 leaves under each wing; 3 leaves under each wing; combination of 3 leaves under left wing and 2 under the right; die crack varieties, broken stem, recut date, an A over E in STATES; adjustment marks in which planchets were filed to achieve the correct weight; silver plug; and Small Head.
According to NCG, there are 62 documented variations between 1794 and 1795, although there is believed to be many more. Varieties are distinguished by the Overton numbering system. Established in the early 20th century, numismatist A.W. Overton created a comprehensive catalog of die varieties. An example is my coin, a 1795 O-104, due of the recut M in America and the last curl placement on the obverse.
Enduring Denomination
While the Flowing Hair Liberty dollar is well known, especially since the anniversary and special minted rounds in 2024, the half dollar is lesser known and talked about. Only 323,144 silver Flowing Hair half dollars were minted and (unlike the dollar) went right into commercial use. Due to the irregularities in quality of strike, it is not unusual for wear to be uneven, thus high grades are scarce. It is thought that 12% of these coins survived suggesting fewer then 3,000 examples exist today. These coins are sought after by collectors, which means they are highly counterfeited. Collectors beware and use caution, as these coins are valuable and are often thousands of dollars raw (ungraded). I hope through this article to not only share my thoughts, but to educate on the first silver half dollar, a denomination that is still minted today.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A special thank you to Darren Jewru Bartz and Sources: NCG; Coinweek; alchetron.com/Robert-Scot; learnapex.com; Wikipedia; USAcoinbook.com; Numismatic News; DJR Authentication; Greysheet; Stacks Bowers; “A Guidebook of United States Coins (Red Book), PCGS, Numismatic News, Q. David Bowers, Coin Community Family,