Category Archives: Jack Riley Reports

These post are written by expert numismatist and counterfeit detective Jack Riley. He reports on how to detect fake coins. See his posts to learn how to authenticate coins.

NOT NGC 1909s VDB

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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.

If you like posts like this, please subscribe so you can 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.

Counterfeit “Lumped Wheat” Stalk Reverse

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By Jack Riley

I enjoy browsing through various Facebook coin groups and seeing what collectors have acquired and enjoy. While scrolling through a rather large group I came across a post where a fellow collector had completed his Lincoln Wheat Cent collection. A major milestone for any collector! In the mix was a 1909s Cent, about which I commented, and later had a private message conversation explaining that this was a counterfeit and showed proof.

He stated it was bought on eBay from a non-reputable seller in a “shotgun roll.” These are rolls of wheat cents hand assembled with generally a nicer condition coin or key date on the ends. This fell within the 30-day return policy so the collector should get his money back after returning the coins to the seller.

Another online venue offered this counterfeit 1909s. Both coins share a common reverse that has been known for awhile.

Image comparison of both coins show many repeating marks. Highlighted in green are common to all coins with this reverse and include:

  • Lump at the edge of wheat stalk
  • Small lump inside of ONE

Highlighted in red are common but not seen on all examples.

  • Crack from the rim to Wheat stalk
  • Extending Crack through the stalk to the field

Being the Lincoln Cent series is one of the most popular to collectors and many key/semi key dates are needed to complete the set, it is of no surprise this counterfeit family is extensive. Other dates that have been seen from this family include the 1931s, 1955 “DDO”, and 1924D cents imaged below.

A close-up collage of identifying marks.

If anyone thought it was just key/semi key dates that are counterfeited, you would be wrong. Here is a common date 1958 exhibiting the “Lumped reverse.”

For more information, including die markers, see Michael Bugeja’s post, titled, “Identifying Fake 1909-S VDB Cents.” Now collectors have two comprehensive articles about this key date. Proxiblog strongly encourages any Lincoln cent collector to read and refer to these two articles before bidding on any raw 1909-S VDB. Also, make sure to check the certification to ensure that the holder also is not counterfeit.

Proxiblog advises newer collectors to follow these general guidelines:

  1. 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.
  2. Be especially careful when purchasing raw coins from eBay and other online venues. AI bots cannot detect counterfeits, so you are on your own.
  3. 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.
  4. If you already bought the coin, weigh it and go to PCGS CoinFacts for the date and mintmark, checking your coin against weights and dimensions.
  5. 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.

Common Fake P-Mint Morgan Dollars

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By Jack Riley

Prompting this article is a counterfeit 1878-P Morgan Dollar previously listed in an eBay auction. The coin immediately caught my attention due to a well known counterfeit C3 reverse. Interestingly, 1878-P Morgan Dollars can feature a C3 reverse paired with a broken right fourth star–a detail that makes this particular counterfeit especially noteworthy.

In a comparison with this 1884-P example we can see the reverse is a match. The 1884 coin also shows clear signs of being cast and weighs less than 23 grams. The weight further reinforces the conclusion that is a counterfeit.

A detailed comparison of the reverses reveal repeating circulation marks:

  • A noticeable depression of the “N” in the Motto.
  • Two small circular lumps positioned above above the wreath.
  • A distinct indentation adjacent to the eagle’s head.

This counterfeit “Family” is extensive, encompassing nearly every date within the Morgan Dollar series.

Markers highlighted in Red indicate additional markers that are not presented on all specimens of this reverse but have been observed across several known examples.

Markers highlighted in Green denote consistent features found on every instance of this “common reverse”, serving as the most reliable identifiers.

Remarkably, while drafting this article, yet another 1878 Morgan Dollar appeared for sale on eBay, further underscoring the prevalence of this counterfeit operation.

The obverse is crudely executed, whereas the reverse presents a more convincing appearance. Though the listing features blurred and seemingly edited photographs, raising questions of intent. In this instance, the images are presented without highlighted markers to allow readers to examine these features in their unaltered form. Observant readers will recognize that this reverse is identical to that of the 1879-P example illustrated above.

Once again, these counterfeits remind me to advise newer collectors to follow these general guidelines:

  1. 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.
  2. Be especially careful when purchasing raw coins from eBay and other online venues. TAI bots cannot detect counterfeits, so you are on your own.
  3. 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.
  4. Weigh the coin and go to PCGS CoinFacts for the date and mintmark, checking your coin against weights and dimensions.
  5. 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. 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.

Counterfeit IN-Line Lincoln Cents

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By Jack Riley

The Lincoln cent series is arguably the most popular in numismatics, with many young collectors getting their start filling Whitman Folders in hopes to find the “key dates.” With such a popular series and many expensive coins to complete the set, one would expect to see many counterfeits. Many types of fake wheat cents exist, including altered dates, added mintmarks, cast coins, and plated cents. This article dives into a modern counterfeit common reverse used interchangeably on mainly key date coins that I refer to as the “IN-Line” reverse.

Images of two counterfeit 1909s VDB cents offered on eBay.

Both coins showcase a Deep N reverse (Type 2) which was used in 1909 and followed through the end of the series in 1958; however, all genuine 1909s VDB cents have a Shallow N (Type 1).

A comparison of the reverse shows common circulation marks between the two. A dent in the “O” culminating with the “IN” slash.

Interestingly this reverse was utilized with and without the “VDB” initials! This 1914-D and 1955 DDO share the “IN-Line” reverse with no remnants of the VDB initials.

This extensive family even consist of struck counterfeit common date “Off-center” errors!

Since viewing can be a challenge to the readers, I assembled close-up collage of the highlighted markers. 

This has primarily been used to create counterfeit key date and semi key date coins. However, with the addition of the off-center strike 1946s, it is clear this can be found on common dates as well as counterfeit error coins.

If you are collecting key dates, especially the 1909-S VDB, be sure as well to view Michael Bugeja’s article with all the requisite die markers.

If you like posts like this, you can read more articles on buying, selling and collecting at Proxiblog.org. Also, please subscribe to get our weekly newsletter and be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has hundreds of followers on Facebook Coin Groups. 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.

Fake 1918 Half: “Ruptured ‘N’ Family”

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By Jack Riley

A counterfeit 1918 Half Dollar–part of what I refer to as the “Ruptured N Family”–has been documented for several years and recently surfaced on Facebook, prompting this article. As is common with many modern counterfeits, the piece displays grainy surfaces, raised lumps within the fields, and design elements that appear inconsistent with genuine examples and poorly executed.

Another example offered online from a non-reputable source.

A comparison of the obverses show repeating marks with a prominent depression of the “N” and a noticeable dent in the lower gown.

Of course, this would not be considered a “family” without additional dates. Evidence suggests a large-scale operation, with counterfeiters mixing and matching both obverse and reverse dies. Notably the 1920 and 1947 dated examples also display the distinctive large dot on the sun (highlighted in red).

Given the mix of various date and mintmark combinations, I did not provide an overview of the reverses, as they differ significantly. On the obverse, however, two consistent diagnostics are always present.

Once again, this counterfeit family reminds me to advise newer collectors to follow these general guidelines:

  1. 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.
  2. Be especially careful when purchasing raw coins from eBay and other online venues. TAI bots cannot detect counterfeits, so you are on your own.
  3. 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.
  4. Weigh the coin and go to PCGS CoinFacts for the date and mintmark, checking your coin against weights and dimensions.
  5. 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 thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, 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.

Another Peace Dollar Counterfeit: “Dotted Rays”

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By Jack Riley

Another group of counterfeit Peace Dollars has surfaced. During my routine browsing of various Facebook groups and online marketplaces, I frequently encounter counterfeit examples of various series. In one of the larger groups, a 1928 Peace Dollar was shared with many commenters claiming this to be genuine and stating it “should be certified”. At first glance the overall appearance is that of many modern cast counterfeits. This prompted me to investigate further.

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by my colleague Dave Jordan, regarding a counterfeit 1928 Peace Dollar we had the opportunity to examine. At the time, I hadn’t documented this particular counterfeit. The recent example of another specimen, however, suggests that there are additional pieces in the market.

Upon comparison,it became evident that both examples originated from the same counterfeit family , which I refer to as the “Dotted Rays.” Several repeating marks are consistently present on the reverse, highlighted in green for reference :

  • Two dent in the ray below A of Dollar
  • Diagonal slash through C of Peace
  • Depression in U of UNUM

This wouldn’t be a “family” with just one date. Following the search yielded at least 2 additional dates (1922 and 1927). Both of which share the “Dotted Rays reverse.”

I recognize that examining these markers in detail can be challenging. To assist readers, I have prepared a collage of close-up images highlighting the key diagnostics.

I share the news about these counterfeit dollars because you can lose many dollars bidding and buying them, only to find out later that you have been scammed.

In Proxiblog’s recent article about bidding online, titled “Bidding Basics,” we recommend working only with trusted sellers, especially on eBay, making sure you can return your purchases.

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.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and other venues. 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.

Beginner’s Guide to VAMs

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Morgan and Peace Dollars are among the most popular and widely collected U.S. coins. While many collectors appreciate these coins for their history and beauty, fewer take the time to explore the fascinating varieties of each series. These varieties, known as VAMs, are named after Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis, the researchers who carefully studied and cataloged them by their die marriage.

Learning VAMs can feel like stepping into a whole new dimension of collecting. It’s a field that rewards patience and curiosity, often taking years to master variety attribution. Thankfully, new collectors don’t have to start from scratch! Resources such as the VAMWorld website provide a wealth of information, guides, and images that make this specialized area more approachable.

VAMWorld allows users to “contribute, edit and improve” its listings, continually updated with new discoveries, delisted varieties, renumbered varieties, and other important revisions! It is the most up-to-date listing for Morgan and Peace Dollar varieties. While the site includes a dedicated tab for new collectors, this section is often overlooked. For those just beginning their journey of studying VAMs, I strongly recommend first to read the Definitions and Attribution 101 pages as it will be needed to understand various design changes, date placements, mintmark locations, die clashing and other characteristics of variety attribution and terminology.

At present, VAMs aside, the hobby focuses on errors and varieties with newcomers, in particular, hunting ultra rarities such as 1992/1992-D Close AM or 1982-D Small Date 3.1 grams. Those types of varieties for Morgan and Peace dollars are catalogued in VAMWorld. But we go one step deeper. We not only identify that variety but also the various dies that might have created it and the popularity of those varieties within a variety.

Let’s see how Proxiblog’s Michael Bugeja uses VAMs to show all the various types of 1900-O/CC Morgans. The popularity and value of this Morgan is not only the variety, but the prominence thereof. VAMs 7 through 12 identify the difference in prominence of the overmintmark.

I often stress to newer collectors the importance of learning and understanding the reverse hub types for the Morgan Dollar series. This chart represents all of the reverse hub types used for the series in detail. It mentions only 1878 but is for the entire Morgan series from 1878-1921.

Granted, the above chart might intimidate hobbyists new to VAMs. Let’s simplify everything and show how three different VAM reverses for the 1878 8TF, replete with pickup points:

Developing a strong grasp of these distinctions is invaluable not only for attribution but also for detecting counterfeit pieces, as reverse hub diagnostics can quickly reveal inconsistencies.

In my very first article for Proxiblog, I used VAMs to discover a family of counterfeits that fooled collectors and grading services for decades. I wrote, “The ‘Micro O’ varieties have always been scarce coins to come by, and in 2005, these were deemed counterfeit by PCGS when 3 examples showed repeating circulation marks between the 1896 O VAM-4, 1900 O VAM-5, and 1902 O VAM-3.”

Navigating the VAMWorld website can feel overwhelming for newer collectors, but becomes much easier when utilizing the tools and resources provided. Each date specific page includes a set of guides.

Many collectors focus on the Top 100, Hot 50, and Hit List 40 varieties. These showcase the most popular and valuable varieties, minimizing what is known as “micro-vamming,” or listing insignificant types.

Introducing the Top 100, VAMWorld writes, “Many of these VAMs have entered the mainstream collecting of Morgan dollars; it has become unheard of to claim a complete Morgan dollar collection without including the 1882-O/S, Scarface, Hot Lips, and an 1900-O over CC example among several other varieties.”

Proxiblog emphasizes this with articles on each of those above and more. For instance, click the photo below to go to these VAM varieties that are viewed, simply, as desirable and valuable Morgans:

If you like posts like this, subscribe so you can be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, 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 types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

Fake Oval O on 1897-O Morgan

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By Jack Riley

In Numismatics, authenticity generally serves as the foundation in which all other qualities–such as grade, variety, and historical importance–are evaluated. Without certainty of authenticity, a coin’s value is nullified. This article was prompted by a recent eBay listing for an 1897-O Morgan Dollar offered at $250, which upon review, was determined to be counterfeit. For ethical reasons, the seller’s identity will remain undisclosed. After being contacted, the seller acted responsibly by immediately removing the listing and clarifying that they had been unaware of the coin’s illegitimacy. Their swift response and willingness to prevent the sale of a counterfeit merits recognition.

Here is a closer view of the coin in question. Immediately noticing the “Oval O” reverse which is not seen on 1897 dated coins, one can see something is wrong!

Image from an 1880-O courtesy of my friend Dave Jordan that shares a common reverse to the 1897-O listed on eBay.

A side by side comparison shows common markers related to this “Family.” Noteworthy markers include:

  • Oval O set left
  • Indent above the 2 berries below the right wing
  • Depression mark in the eagles left wing (viewers right) just above the tip of the wreath
  • Minor depression mark of the “I” in America

It is worth mentioning this reverse has been seen on 1895-O dated coins with an additional crack through the “T” of United. These are better quality counterfeits than many you may come across.

By understanding how die markers are used and by carefully examining coins for inconsistencies, coin collectors can increase their ability to identify counterfeit coins. 

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.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, 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.

Family of Fake Half Cents

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By Jack Riley

The saga continues of “new” counterfeits popping up on the market. In my downtime I enjoy browsing online sites and forums. In my search I stumbled across this 1857 half cent listed by what I would consider an average seller. Plenty of listings, with a number of them being genuine coins.

With only one die marriage being the C-1 for circulation issues, this should be a simple coin to attribute. Bay listing (Top) compared to a PCGS certified example (bottom). Clearly the date doesn’t attribute!

Following this, I set out to find more of the “family.” It didn’t take long to stumbled upon this 1854 example that shares a common reverse!

Both coins share this reverse with a large depression in the “N” and a line through the H of “Half.”

Fellow Proxiblog contributor Jack Young sent an eBay link of a spurious seller, and within the listings, it yielded another date sharing this reverse!

There seems to always be a “new one” weekly!

Because of that, I urge collectors to attribute a coin if they intend to buy it or at minimal ask a second opinion.

Attribution of a coin can be done by anyone, even without books! PCGS CoinFacts app as well as NGC’s variety plus are great tools that show images of many die marriages for most series. Compare your coin to the known varieties and determine if it matches. Many things play a factor such as date position relative to the denticles, star orientation, reverse lettering spacing.

Recognizing these differences will prepare you to attribute tougher varieties!

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 be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, 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.

New Counterfeit Discovery on 1921 Peace Dollar

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By Jack Riley

In a previous article I discussed a large “family” of counterfeit Type A reverse Peace Dollars. The majority of the coins encountered were dated 1921. This article is about a counterfeit 1921 Peace Dollar with a B2 reverse! This reverse type wasn’t used until 1922.

Before diving into the specifics, let’s have a short review:

Let’s look at the two reverse for 1921 and 1922 Peace Dollars:

On the 1921 Type A reverse, 4 rays appear below “ONE” and on the Type B reverse, three.

There is one more distinction on Type B reverses, which we label B1 and B2. As illustrated below, B1 reverses show two mountain peaks while the B2 reverse has 3.

Image below Courtesy of VAMworld showing the 3rd peak, B2

So now we progress to that 1921 counterfeit with a B2 reverse! See below.

This is the only example of this counterfeit I have seen as of now. The coin is a cast counterfeit evident by the images and the weight of 23 grams. You can see grainy surfaces and many “lumps” throughout the fields. I make note of two possible markers if this is identified on various dates.

There is a prominent dot about the A of “DOLLAR” on the reverse that may be a helpful indicator and a small crack running through the eagles mouth/head.

While this particular coin shouldn’t fool a veteran hobbyist, it is very possible this is interchanged with various dates and an unknown “family of fakes” is out there. Variety attribution on Peace Dollars can be tricky even for experienced collectors.

But this article provides the basics from which all of us can learn.

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 be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, 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.