Is this a fake Trade dollar?

sdmjam

I have never seen a trade dollar with the "triangle/arrow" before the S (States) on the reverse. I am almost positive it is a fake but it is in a PCGS holder and looks valid if you do a cert verification. Any thought appreciated

mbogoman

Authentic. That "triangle" looks like a small scratch with maybe a piece of gunk or detritus that makes it appear to be a triangle. Everything about the coin looks absolutely authentic to me.

Edit to add: I just looked up the coin on Ebay to see the rest of the pics. It's an 1874 CC and everything about it, including the holder, label and most importantly, the coin, are authentic. Also, the seller is not one that is known for selling fakes. Here is the link:

Ebay link to coin

AUandAG

Real.

bob

crypto79

real but over priced & processed

sdmjam

Thanks. Yes, that dealer has a good rep and that is partly why I was so curious. Everything about the coin looked good.... but that spot. It could be a scratch but it sure looks like a 'minting' error in the picture--even when I blow it up.
Given the level of quality fakes, particularly in Trade dollars, I thought I would check with the forum. Appreciate the responses!

kaz

Genuine, rather bright for a coin with its original surfaces

telephoto1

Looks genuine to me from what I see but rather lifeless and overdipped-looking. FWIW, to me the "triangle" looks like a coincidental pairing of a couple of things. Note dark splotch on A of STATES. I think the left part of your triangle is another similar dark splotch with a small bag mark/scratch beside it, giving the false appearance of a 3D "shadow", if you will- when it is actually two dimensional. Optical illusion making it look like a raised triangle. jmho