Counterfeit Trade Dollars have pretty much flooded the market over the past decade. If you want to make sure you buy a real coin, the surest route is to buy a Trade Dollar that's been authenticated and graded by PCGS, NGC, or another recognized service. If you're considering a raw—or uncertified—coin, however, there are almost always tells that will give away the difference between a real coin and a counterfeit one. We've rounded up some common giveaways that will help you spot a forgery!

4

Examine the images on the coin carefully.

  1. You might spot an error that reveals a forgery. It can be hard for a counterfeiter to exactly replicate every detail of a Trade Dollar. Look for tiny giveaways, like whether they eagle's eyes are wide open (they should be half closed) or areas where it looks like the details were chipped out by hand. If you spot a mistake, you can be 100% sure you have a fake coin on your hands.[5]
    • On the front of the coin, Lady Liberty is sitting on stacked boxes, facing the viewer's left. She has a sheaf of wheat near her back, she holds an olive branch out to the left over the sea, and she's barefooted.
    • The eagle's neck should look full, its right wing (on your left) should be slightly higher than its left, and feathers should cover most of the legs. The eagle should also be looking to your right. Also, the eagle is holding 3 arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left.
6

Look for uniform denticles and reeding.

8

Be realistic about the price.

10

Verify that the numbers and letters have the right font.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    What kind of metal is in the counterfeit trade dollars that were made for the Orient in the 1870's?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Counterfeit trade dollars are almost always base metal. Real trade dollars are .900 silver.
  • Question
    How much is a fake trade dollar normally worth? I'm selling.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Selling money you know to be counterfeit is normally worth up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as it's a federal crime.
  • Question
    How do I tell if my trade dollar is real or counterfeit?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Best way is to weigh it. 90% silver would be around 27 grams. Fake ones are 18 - 19 g. A kitchen scale should do the trick.
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Warnings

  • If you must buy coins online, buy PCGS, NGC, or ANACS certified coins. Even then, be aware that the certification might be fake.
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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 108,938 times.
16 votes - 81%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: February 14, 2022
Views: 108,938
Categories: Managing Your Money
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