Are Fake Silver Dollars Worth Anything and How to Identify

If you're wondering whether fake silver dollars are worth anything, the answer is not always a simple yes or no. Many fake silver dollars are made of base metals like copper or zinc, which are much less valuable than silver.

Some fake silver dollars may be made of a thin layer of silver on a base metal core, which can be identified through acid testing. This test can be done at home with a few simple chemicals.

The weight of a silver dollar is a key factor in determining its authenticity. Real silver dollars are typically made of 90% silver and weigh around 26.73 grams.

Morgan Silver Dollars from the San Francisco and Carson City mints are commonly counterfeited.

A 10x triple magnifier can help identify nuances between counterfeit stamped mint marks and authentic mint marks.

The year of the coin can also be a giveaway, as Carson City silver dollars were only produced from 1878 – 1885 and then again in 1889, 1891, 1892 & 1893.

Many fake Morgan silver dollars are from other years, such as 1894 and 1895, and one commonly counterfeited coin is the 1893-s dollar.

To identify fake silver coins, use a magnet for magnetic properties, a scale to check weight against standard references, and a caliper for accurate dimensions.

A genuine coin won't be magnetic, will match standard weights and dimensions closely, and feature precise design details.

A Morgan silver dollar should weigh 26.73 grams.

If a coin is counterfeit, it's likely to weigh significantly less, often in the 18 to 22 gram range.

While authentic Morgans can weigh slightly less due to wear, the largest discrepancy is usually only half a gram.

You can use precise digital scales to determine a coin's authenticity by cross-checking its weight with a reliable reference.

A significant deviation from the standard weight is a red flag, indicating the coin may be counterfeit.

To spot fake silver coins, you can use a magnet to check for magnetic properties. Genuine coins won't be magnetic.

A scale is also essential to check the weight against standard references. For instance, a Morgan Silver dollar should weigh 26.73 grams.

The visual test is another crucial step, where you can check the markings of the coin with available online information to ensure they align with what that edition should have. One obvious sign of a fake silver coin is a lack of reeding, the ridges on the edge of a coin.

A caliper can be used to check the accurate dimensions of the coin. Genuine coins will match standard dimensions closely.

If you've already purchased a silver bullion coin, you can still use the ping test, the ice test, and magnetic tests to identify whether it's a fake.

Spotting fake coins can be a challenge, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can increase your chances of identifying a genuine silver dollar. Use a magnet to check for magnetic properties, as genuine coins won't be magnetic.

A scale is also a valuable tool in identifying fake coins, as you can compare the weight of the coin to standard references. Fake coins often weigh less than genuine ones.

The visual test is a crucial step in identifying fake coins, and with the help of a smartphone, you can see the fine details that distinguish a fake from a legitimate coin. Check the markings on the coin with available online information to ensure they align with what that edition should have.

A lack of reeding, the ridges on the edge of a coin, is a common sign of a fake silver dollar. While some authentic coins may come without reeding, this is extremely rare.

To further verify the authenticity of a coin, consider purchasing from reputable dealers, as they often guarantee the legitimacy of their coins.

Fake silver coins are a serious threat to collectors, and it's estimated that a large majority of counterfeit coins are older models from government mints.

Older coins are easier to fake because they were minted with minimal or no security technology, making them a prime target for scammers. Coins from the early 1900s, such as the 1916 Mercury Dime and the 1912 Quarter Eagle, are especially common marks for counterfeiters.

To spot fake silver coins, you can use a visual test, which can often reveal obvious signs of counterfeiting. The visual test is a good place to start, as many fake coins can be spotted with a quick look.

Morgan silver dollars from the San Francisco and Carson City mints are often counterfeited.

These replicas can be quite convincing, but a 10x triple magnifier can help you spot the differences between authentic and fake mint marks.

Carson City silver dollars were only produced from 1878 – 1885 and then again in 1889, 1891, 1892 & 1893.

Be wary of fakes from other years, like 1894 and 1895.

The 1893-s dollar is another Morgan silver dollar that's commonly counterfeited.

Fake coins are a serious threat to collectors, with many being sold and purchased each year.

Simple logic suggests that counterfeiters target older coins, which have limited security technology and are easier to fake.

Older coins from the early 1900s, like the 1916 Mercury Dime, 1911 Quarter Eagle, and 1912 Quarter Eagle, are especially common marks due to their minimal mint technology.

Modern coins, on the other hand, often employ sophisticated security features like repeating wave patterns or NFC tags that can verify a coin's legitimacy.

Extremely old coins that appear to be in uncirculated condition should raise suspicions, as they should have some normal signs of circulation.

Old coins that have been maintained by national mints, however, can be an exception to this rule, as seen with Hero Bullion's U.S. Mint coins from the 1920s in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.

A counterfeit coin doesn't have any numismatic value, even if it's made of gold or silver.

The only value a counterfeit coin may have is in the precious metal it's made of, which can be extracted through assay.

In some cases, counterfeit coins were made with the intention of being used as trade units, but this practice was not acceptable in the countries they were targeting.

I once saw a bag of 1000 "Great Britain Sovereigns" that were actually counterfeits, containing less than half the gold content of a legitimate sovereign.

To detect counterfeit coins, numismatists study various techniques, including creating a die from an existing coin, casting, electro-spark process, and laser imaging.

Here are some examples of counterfeit coins that are often made using these techniques:

It's essential to learn what genuine coins should look like to avoid being fooled by a fake.