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Comparing a Counterfeit Chinese Dollar to a Genuine Silver Dollar
BillJones
Posts: 34,778 ✭✭✭✭✭
Although this is not the greatest of Chinese counterfeit dollars, comparing it with a genuine coin might be useful for those who are just getting into the hobby or those who might be called intermediate collectors. These pictures will give such collectors a view of what to look for when they are shopping for raw coins.
The first thing of note about this piece is that it is an 1886-CC which is a non-existent date and mint mark combination. Beyond that the counterfeiter made other mistakes that are quite visible with a strong glass. For comparison purposes I’m going to use a genuine 1885-CC dollar.
Here is the counterfeit 1886-CC dollar.
First, the date. Note the "6" on the counterfeit coin which is larger than the other digits in the date. By the time all four figures in the date had a uniform size. Also note that the second "8" in the date is very crude.
Genuine 1885-CC date.
The mint mark. Note that the serifs are missing on the 1886-CC counterfeit.
While the 1885-CC genuine coin has serifs on the mint mark.
For the reverse lettering the 1886-CC counterfeit has "fatty letters" which are not crisp and clean.
While the letters on the 1885-CC genuine coin are thinner and crisp.
The reeding. Note that the reeding on the counterfeit is uneven and has a chunk of metal in middle of it.
While it is crisp and even on the genuine 1885-CC dollar
My thanks to Randy Campbell who loaned this 1886-CC thing to me as well as an 1888-CC "dollar."
I've got more photos, but this is enough to start the thread.
The first thing of note about this piece is that it is an 1886-CC which is a non-existent date and mint mark combination. Beyond that the counterfeiter made other mistakes that are quite visible with a strong glass. For comparison purposes I’m going to use a genuine 1885-CC dollar.
Here is the counterfeit 1886-CC dollar.
First, the date. Note the "6" on the counterfeit coin which is larger than the other digits in the date. By the time all four figures in the date had a uniform size. Also note that the second "8" in the date is very crude.
Genuine 1885-CC date.
The mint mark. Note that the serifs are missing on the 1886-CC counterfeit.
While the 1885-CC genuine coin has serifs on the mint mark.
For the reverse lettering the 1886-CC counterfeit has "fatty letters" which are not crisp and clean.
While the letters on the 1885-CC genuine coin are thinner and crisp.
The reeding. Note that the reeding on the counterfeit is uneven and has a chunk of metal in middle of it.
While it is crisp and even on the genuine 1885-CC dollar
My thanks to Randy Campbell who loaned this 1886-CC thing to me as well as an 1888-CC "dollar."
I've got more photos, but this is enough to start the thread.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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<< <i>Excellent post - very informative, especially to new collectors. >>
New collectors need to understand that this is a very crude and obvious counterfeit and that there are many higher quality counterfeits in the market place that are far more deceptive.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>So many of them used to use the 1921 obverse with the pointy chin, which always tips me off. >>
Yes, that was one of my next points. It seems this person used a 1921 Morgan Dollar for his portrait. Here are some photos.
Fake
Mid 1880s portrait of Ms Liberty
1921 Morgan Dollar - In 1921 George Morgan had to re-create his Morgan dollar design because the tools he had used on the earlier dollars had been destroyed. The new dollar had the same design in general, but a different treatment of the artwork. Note the lower relief.
The Chinese coin is a "type of 1921 dollar" produced in 1886.
<< <i>
<< <i>Excellent post - very informative, especially to new collectors. >>
New collectors need to understand that this is a very crude and obvious counterfeit and that there are many higher quality counterfeits in the market place that are far more deceptive. >>
Agreed, but this what I had to show. The last I knew there were five levels of Chinese counterfeits from Class 1 (down right silly) to Class 5 (darn scary). This one is probably a level 2.
bulb in the pack, a 1886 CC, are you serious?
<< <i>Like the comparisons. The counterfeiter wasn't the brightest
bulb in the pack, a 1886 CC, are you serious? >>
Clever marketing---he wanted to create a date that most collectors still need for their collection.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire