Tag Archives: PCGS

Check those Certs!

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PCGS, NGC, ANACS, CAC, ICGS have certification web sites. You’ll gain knowledge about everything from counterfeit detection to retail, wholesale and auction values.

New collectors and others who have inherited coins typically ask Facebook coin group members what their holdered coins are worth. There is no need to do this. In fact, the question alone indicates that you do not know what you have, opening you up to low-ball offers and scam buyers.

This Facebook member posts photos of PCGS-graded coins and wonders what they are worth.

All he had to do was go to the PCGS certification site for the information. Just input the numbers and you get all the facts.

Did you catch what happened here? If so, you are beginning to understand why checking certs of ANY slabbed coin is worthwhile.

His coin is counterfeit. The label is the giveaway: “Morgan.” The Chinese forgot that the only time PCGS states the dollar is a Morgan is on labels for 1921 coins because the Peace Dollar was introduced in that year!

The person’s coins are counterfeit.

Here is another person asking about worth for this NGC coin:

You can go to the NGC certification site and check this one.

NGC is not nearly as reliable with updating current value as PCGS. Note that this cert states “Price Guide Not Available.” NGC has been negligent with this for years, one of the reasons I prefer PCGS and CoinFacts. But you can still check the retail price by hitting the “Research this coin” tab.

Here are lookup sites for ANACS, CAC and ICG. Follow the same procedure.

If you want an estimate about what a coin dealer might pay you, you can access that information on the Greysheet wholesale website, requiring a subscription.

A better option to ascertain what a dealer might pay you, once again, is PCGS CoinFacts, an indispensable directory.

Let’s look up the retail and latest auction values (better than wholesale values because these states what people will pay) for that 1880-S MS64 Morgan mentioned earlier.

You get all the data for this coin, including mintages, which also play a role in value. But lower on the page you get population date and more specific details.

Better still, you can click the link for each auction. The first link, most recent sale 08/25, states someone paid a retail price in a Stacks Bowers auction. Why? Hit the link, and you get this superb coin, again with tons of data.

The ability to know retail and wholesale/auction values is a mandatory skill if you collect coins. Many just opt to go to a coin dealer who probably will use Greysheet wholesale and then deduct even more, especially if he owns a brick-and-mortar shop (he has to pay expenses, don’t you know).

Here is a typical advertisement promising to appraise coins and showing ones whose values are readily available online.

Wouldn’t it make sense, if this were your collection, to know what the retail and wholesale/auction values are before allowing someone else to tell you?

As you can see, checking certs guards against fakes and informs you in detail about your coin. Over time, you will learn not only the values but also all those data, helping you become the numismatist you were meant to be!

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. For 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.

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.

Trime Time

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By Susan Blumlein Amodeo

As a child coin collector, I was fascinated with the different shapes and images on foreign and domestic coins. As an adult, I love looking at my great grandfather’s coin collection. He built the collection while working as a bartender in Brooklyn, NY, at the turn of the century and later at a hotel on Long Island. People would pay for drinks with any currency they had, and my great grandfather, with a savvy eye, collected a vast number of US and foreign coins and medals, as Elis Island was bringing a multitude of immigrants to the area. His 1892 copy of George G. Evans book “History of the U.S. Mint and Coinage” and his 1909 copy of “Money and Stamp Manual” from the Money & Stamp Brokerage Company, Inc. are included in the collection.

Ellis Island

In the early 1970’s my father (who also collected) started sorting his grandfather’s vast coinage stored in a large leather pouch. He organized by country, identified and graded many coins, as well as putting many coins in flips. These coins are special, and I now have the honor of being the custodian to them.

Inheriting coins can be overwhelming but I feel fortunate to have some basic knowledge. Having books and reliable websites were helpful, but finding a coin group online was wonderful. I was introduced to Proxiblog by a friend and found it extremely helpful in and collecting.

While looking at the US coins in the collection, I was amazed to discover a tiny silver coin. This tiny coin was 3 cents, which happens to be my favorite number. While researching I learned this 3-cent piece (trime) had 3 varieties. I noticed that I had two of the three designs my father put in flips. Later, while looking through a cardboard box of untouched coins, I found a third trime of a different variety! I was so excited and went to my Red Book to note my finding.

Designer of the Trime:

James B. Longacre was commissioned by President Tyler to be the fourth Chief Engraver for the US Mint in 1844. He not only designed and engraved many notable coins, but he helped open the San Francisco Coin Mint in 1854. His designs include: The Liberty Head Gold Dollar; $20 Gold Coronet Headed Double Eagle; Small Indian Princess Gold Dollar; $3 Gold Princess Coin; Flying Eagle Cent; Indian Head Penny; 2 Cent Piece; the Trime; Three-cent Nickel; and the 5 Cent Shield Nickel. The Indian Head Penny is his most notable work.

The Trime

Many people do not know the smallest and lightest coin ever minted in the US from 1851-1873 is the trime (a colloquial name for the silver three-cent piece). In 1850 silver prices increased and people were hording silver and gold. Sound familiar? This was a turbulent time and many coin acts were passed. This was just after the peak California gold rush in 1849, which resulted in a population boom and economic growth. The trime was first minted in 1851 and was popular as Congress lowered the price of a postal stamp from five cents to three cents. This tiny coin was easy to carry and was minted for 22 years and included three varieties.

Variety 1:

The first trime minted between 1851-1857 contained 75% silver and 25% copper and weighed 0.8 grams. The amount of silver in this tiny 14.3mm coin was worth less then three cents in silver (2 ½ cents), which made it pointless to hoard. The first design was simple but unique. The obverse (front) features a six-pointed plain star with a federal shield inside. It is surrounded by the words “United States of America” and the date. The reverse has 13 equally spaced six-pointed stars representing the original thirteen colonies. These stars encircle a large decorative C-shape with Roman numeral III inside. Variety 1 had the highest mintage (36 million) from Philadelphia and (720,000) in New Orleans. New Orleans minted the trime for only one year, 1851, which are designated with an open “O” on the reverse right side.

Variety 2:

These coins were only minted from 1854-1858. To align with other coins, the mint adjusted its silver content to 90% silver and 10% copper lowering the weight to 0.75 grams. The design went through some changes. The obverse added double lines outlining the star. The reverse presented a more pronounced “C” and added an olive branch and arrows. The stars surrounding remained the same. However, many of these coins were weakly struck. The mintage was significantly less at 4 million.

Variety 3:

The mint again changed the design from 1859-1873. Although the design change was minor and only on the obverse, one border was removed from the star. Mintage dropped yearly and 1862 was the last year for 6-digit mintages. This coincides with the Civil War (1861-1865.) The decline in minting correlates with the introduction of the Three Cent Nickel coin in 1865. This was a more durable, easier to handle, larger coin. The trime was minted for circulation until 1872 (under 2 million minted). The Coinage Act of 1873 ended the production of several silver coins including the trime. In 1873 only 600 proof coins were minted.

Last Thoughts:

With such a small thin planchet, the trime minting quality was not great. Weak, off-center, die clashes, and strike-throughs (leaving an impression on the opposite side) were common. This, along with worn dies, resulted in mushy letters and numbers. Being such a small coin, many were lost, but today these are sought after by many collectors.

This coin survived the gold-rush and Civil War. In its 22 years of existence, the trime went through 3 designs and change of silver content. It may not be the most famous coin, but it has an interesting story, and I don’t want them to be forgotten.

Editor’s Note: Susan Blumlein Amodeo is one of Proxiblog’s top numismatists as anyone on Facebook coin groups knows. We hope she will continue to provide articles about the coins she loves and collects. As you can see from this article, she not only writes gracefully but also has a sense of history that only coin collecting can provide.

Proxiblog’s writers also include Jack D. Young and Jack Riley, counterfeit experts. They and Michael Bugeja provide fact-based information to thousands of viewers each day.

If you like posts like this, please subscribe to Proxiblog 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, 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.

Melted, Bagged and VAM Morgans

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If you collect Morgan dollars, you will have to memorize all dates and rarities because unlike Wheat cents and other common denominations, low mintage may not be the sole factor of value. You will have to factor these irregularities:

  1. Dates and numbers melted. The 1918 Pittman Act authorized the melting of up to 350 million silver dollars to support American mining interests and to provide silver bullion to Great Britain, facing a monetary crisis during  World War I.
  2. Bags of Morgans released in last century. Millions of Morgans found in U.S. Treasury vaults in the 1960s and sold to the public at face value; dollar sales in the 1970s of leftover silver dollars, many of which bore “CC” mintmarks; and hundreds of thousands of “Redfield” hoards released to the market in 1976.
  3. Condition rarities. The reasons are many, but people neglected to save some uncirculated dates with high or reasonable mintages, meaning any found in low-mint state and above command ultra rarity prices.
  4. Different die varieties (catalogued as VAMs). This is an acronym for Van Allen and Mallis who cataloged varieties of U.S. Morgan and Peace dollars based on die markers distinguishing such features as doubling, die breaks, or clashed dies. If you are unfamiliar with VAMs, see Proxiblog’s “VAMs for Beginners.“

Silver Spot Price

Before we discuss the above Morgans, we should mention that the high price of silver in mid 2025 has increased values of all silver coins, especially silver dollars. At this writing, the spot price for silver is $90. You can expect that to fluctuate in the months and years ahead. (If you read this at a later date, that spot price will take on new meaning.)

So if you’re interested in silver melt value of your Morgan, do not think a cull has $90 of silver in it.

FORMULA FOR SILVER MELT PRICE: Morgans are 90% silver containing 0.7734 troy ounce. Multiply silver price by 0.7734: $69.60. Dealers usually pay 10% under melt. So that Morgan now is worth $62.

But there is another wrinkle. With the high price of silver, how many Morgan dollars are being melted?

Now the law gets murky. You can melt silver coins for personal use, such as making jewelry. Melting silver coins for profit is not permitted because you will be fraudulently defacing or destroying currency, which is illegal under U.S. law. (Melting cents and nickels is illegal because their metal content can exceed their face value.) But that doesn’t mean people aren’t melting their culls and even valuable silver coins.

To give you an example of what is occurring behind the scenes, silver refineries are not paying the spot price because of skyrocketing financing costs, massive backlogs, and disruptions in the supply chain, making it uneconomical for them to process and refine silver. Refiners are overwhelmed with high-volume scrap, leading to halts in purchases, lower offers, and a growing gap between the physical and “paper” market price. This has created a “liquidity crisis” and a “physical freeze” in the market. 

Now back to numismatics.

Melted Morgans

A handy resource about melted Morgans is Q. David Bowers’ “A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars.” This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on the history, grading, and collecting of these coins. It covers every date and mintmark from 1878 to 1921 and includes melting estimates for each.  

You will have to read this work or consult other guides, such as PCGS CoinFacts, which provides survival estimates for each year and mintmark (presumably factoring in the number melted).

Common date Morgans produced before 1904 were affected by the Pittman Act, while key-date coins were largely spared; however, in doing this, the Mint made those common date coins more valuable, because so many were melted.

That’s why you cannot look only on mintages for value. You will have to memorize. This article will help in that endeavor.

Bagged Morgans

Bags of Morgans released to the public drastically changed the values of Carson City dollars and other dates previously considered condition rarities, with the most famous being the 1903-O. Before the 1970s, collectors rarely saw one and considered it an ultra rarity. The exact number of 1903-O Morgan dollars released in bags in the 1960s is unknown, but it was in the hundreds of thousands, possibly over a million. Same goes for Carson City GSA dollars. Rarely were these seen in high mint state; and then, more than 3 million uncirculated ones were sold to the public. So uncirculated Morgans flooded the market, again affecting value.

In other words, you may have a rarity only to learn another hoard has been found or released to the public. Then your rarity is not so much anymore.

Condition Rarities

Top condition rarities include these dates below with images and values from PCGS CoinFacts:

1884-S. Mintage: 3,200,000. People just spent them, so there are precious few in mint state. Value: XF40, $135; MS65: $295,000.

1886-O. Mintage: 10,710,000. Most coins were melted under the Pittman Act. Value: XF40, $100; MS65, $285,000.

1892-S. Mintage: 1,200,000. For some reason, as in the 1884-S, people did not save uncirculated examples and spent them. Value: XF40, $600; MS65, $285,000.

1893-O: mintage, 300,000; 1895-O: mintage, 450,000; and 1895-S, mintage, 400,000. Although they had low mintages, again, people spent them with most surviving coins being circulated. 1893-O: Value: XF40 $950; MS65, $180,000. 1895-O: XF40, $900; MS65 $325,000. 1895-S: XF40, $1,900; MS65, $22,500.

1896-O. Mintage: 4,900,000. Many of these coins were melted so that high-grade pieces are scarce. Value: XF40, $85; MS65, $200,000.

1901-P. Mintage: 6,962,000. A relatively small number of these coins entered circulation, and the majority are thought to have been melted. Higher-grade examples are difficult to find. Value: XF40, $250; MS65, $325,000.

VAM Morgans

These are some of the most desired Morgan VAMs with images and markers from PCGS CoinFacts.

1887-P “Alligator Eyes,” VAM12A.

1888-O “Scarface,” VAM 1B.

1888-O “Hot Lips,” VAM4.

1891-CC “Spitting Eagle,” VAM3

1901-P “Shifted Eagle,” VAM3.

While these have been labeled the most popular, you should know the top 100 VAM Morgans, compliments PCGS.

This article has discussed the factors that make some Morgans more valuable than others. If you continue to study each date and mintmark in the series, in time, you will be able to make prudent purchases and, on occasion, score big.

If you like posts like this, 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 and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentaries, click 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.

Not PCGS 2025 Silver!

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Jack D. Young

Often, I joke about the counterfeiters apparently being ahead of the genuine releases–if not ahead, they are certainly keeping up with the latest “not-PCGS” slabbed fakes!

In this exclusive Proxiblog article I will review 3 really special 2025 “numismatic treasures” showing up in different selling venues.

So, without further ado I will start with a first strike 2025 230th anniversary flowing hair:

OK, so what is the issue with this one? Well, the 230th anniversary of the flowing hair dollar was 2024 and as noted the “year of issue”!!!

So, the following example actually came across the counter of a famous Chicago Coin Shop and a friend there posted it in one of our groups.

A counterfeit walks into a coin shop 😎…

These were also the subject of a short on another friend’s popular coin YouTube channel:

“Frostbyte Coins” short on the subject

Not to be outdone, eBay sellers jumped on the bandwagon as well…

eBay listed 2025 230 Anniversary “Medal Coin”

A second eBay listing

And of course, one more on the Bay:

And a 3rd bay listing at the time

One thing to notice, all sport different cert numbers versus many we have seen with common certs used; and the cert for the Chicago example pulls up as:

Pretty silly at this point…

And what’s next? How about the 2025-S First Strike proof Morgan set!

This example posted in a Face Book Group I sometimes visit:

FB Group post image

The answer to his question is “it’s fake!” and the cert number is actually for a 2022 Australian 50c piece! And again, not to be outdone another listed for sale on the Bay:

eBay listing of similar counterfeit 2025-S and fake PCGS slab

As most of these, the actual barcode on the label does not scan, but checking the cert number for the listed example (48248428) gives this result on PCGS’ cert website:

And what could possibly be next😎?

How about a 2025“PCGS” MS70 First Strike Silver Eagle? This from a FB group post as well:

Interesting, the cert comes up as:

PCGS on-line cert for 51841365 shows the coin type as “971094”

So, coin type 971094 in PCGS’ system is as follows:

PCGS definition of the 2025 First Strike

While 2025 (W) S1 silver eagles are designated as “971544”:

PCGS definition of the 2025 (W)  First Strike at West Point

I often state the counterfeiters are NOT Numismatists. (They are crooks.)

And finding a genuine (W) example to compare to shows the following differences on the obverse slab and label:

Counterfeit on left, genuine First Strike (W) on the right

So, the “Fun” never ends with the counterfeits, and one can only wonder what they have in store for 2026!

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 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 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.

1992/92-D Close scAM

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Only a handful of 1992/92-D Close AM coins have been found in the past decades, making these high-value variations extremely desired and also relatively easy to dupe both the buyer and eBay (when sellers do not accept returns). In the video below, Proxiblog’s Michael Bugeja shows how a person can photograph the obverse of a typical 1992/92-D Wide AM and the reverse of a 1993-2000 Close AM and depict them side by side as if one coin.

Now comes the hard part for the unfortunate buyer. He receives a 1992/92-D Wide AM. He may not know the die markers (disclosed in the video) or he may, leaving him with the distressing chore of trying to explain die markers to eBay when the seller doesn’t accept returns. While arguing counterfeit with eBay sometimes works, good luck when it comes to die markers. This is why Proxiblog recommends never buying or bidding on unholdered rarities.

Venus, a Comet, and Caesar’s Assassination

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A few months after Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March 44 BC, a comet streaked through the skies, making him a god in his followers’ eyes.

Some historical background: On March 15, the great Roman statesman and reformer, Gaius Julius Caesar, was assassinated. The historical record notes his military brilliance as well as his less popular role in ending the Roman Republic.

The celestial object, now known as Caesar’s Comet (C/-43 K1), appeared in July of that year and was seen as a sign Caesar’s deification. 

The brilliant comet was visible for seven days. Romans interpreted the cosmic event as a sign that Caesar’s soul was ascending into the heavens and that he had joined the gods and Venus mother–a reference by the Roman poet Ovid.

Ovid describes the deification in Book 15 of his epic poem, Metamorphoses. In the passage, Venus takes Caesar’s spirit from his murdered body and carries it to the heavens, where she transforms it into a star.

This provided a propaganda occasion for Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian (who later became Emperor Augustus). He claimed to be a son of the now god Caesar, legitimizing his own rise to power.

The recognition had been put in place by Caesar before his death.

By placing Venus’s image on coins during his lifetime, Caesar had already reinforced his divine right to rule. Here are representative coins featured in a Coin Week article.

By imitating Caesar’s use of Venus in his own coinage, Octavian symbolically inherited not just his father’s name and legacy, but also his divine mandate.

Collectors covet these coins because of the heavenly history. They are pricey, too, because of the demand. Here is a retail example:

As with all coins, the marketplace is full of counterfeits. This is especially prevalent with Caesar’s military coins. His “Elephant” silver Denarius, minted circa 49–48 BC, typically weighs between 3.5 and 4.0 grams (commonly cited around 3.78g to 3.98g) and has a diameter of roughly 18mm. 

eBay is full of counterfeits, especially from China and Bulgaria. Etsy and Temu offer these as replicas and they have flooded the market as authentic with scammers counting on buyers not understanding how to detect fakes.

If you are unfamiliar with ancient coins, only purchase ones slabbed by NGC (the best for ancients):

If you do not know ancient coins and want to add a Caesar coin to your collection, bid on or buy an example holdered by NGC. Also note these attributes of fake ones:

  • Seams: A genuine ancient Roman coin was struck between two metal dies, not cast in a mold. Counterfeit coins that are cast often have a raised line or seam on the edge.
  • Soft details: Cast fakes tend to have a soft, “soapy,” or indistinct appearance, especially in the fine details of the portrait and lettering. Genuine struck coins show a much sharper impression, even if worn.
  • Uneven surface: Pores or small bumps on the coin’s surface can indicate that it was cast. These marks are caused by trapped air bubbles in the mold during the casting process.
  • Weight and size: Casting can cause metal to shrink. As a result, cast fakes are often slightly smaller and lighter than their genuine counterparts.
  • Artificial patina: Forgers often apply a chemical patina to make a coin look ancient.

Consider the difference between a genuine and fake Venus Caesar coin:

If you are interested in ancient coins, visit the portal Vcoins.

If you like posts like this, 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 commentaries, click 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 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.

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.