How to Detect Counterfeit Coins | What to Look For?

Don’t Be Fooled. Here’s How to Detect Counterfeit Coins

how to detect counterfeit coins

For as long as there has been currency in the world, people have been making counterfeit versions for a profit. There are few things worse than believing you have the real thing only to later find out it’s a fake. And in the world of numismatics, not knowing the difference can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Avoid disappointing experiences like this by learning what to look for to know how to detect counterfeit coins.

What’s the Difference Between Counterfeit and Altered?

In order to know how to detect counterfeit coins from real ones, you need to know the difference between a counterfeit coin and an altered coin. A counterfeit coin is not genuine, was never genuine, and can never be genuine. And there are two categories of counterfeit coins: contemporary and modern.

Contemporary counterfeit coins are fake coins that are made during the same time period as that which they’re replicating. For example, the Henning Nickel created by Francis LeRoy Henning in the mid-1950s was created as a duplicate of the Jefferson nickel that the United States Mint was still producing at that time.

On the other hand, modern counterfeits are made using the current industrial process to produce fake classic coins. The 1893-S Morgan dollar is an example of a modern counterfeit. Only 100,000 of these coins were minted, making a big potential for profit for counterfeiters and incentivizing the production of fakes.

Outside the realm of modern and contemporary counterfeits, there’s also the category of altered coins. Altered coins are genuine coins that have been changed or altered to make them rare or scarce, and therefore, more valuable. The 1922 No D Lincoln cent is an example of a high-value altered coin. By removing the D mintmark, counterfeiters make an original 1922-D Lincoln cent more valuable since the 1922 No D is more scarce.

What Are the Signs of a Counterfeit Coin?

Counterfeits continue to be a major problem for collectors and dealers alike. Not only do they reduce the value of a collection, but can also be used to scam unsuspecting buyers. Fortunately, there are several ways to tell the difference between real coins and counterfeit coins.

Weight

One of the first things to look for when determining whether a coin is genuine is its weight. Counterfeiters often use materials that are lighter than the metal used in genuine coins, which means that their coins will weigh less. To determine the weight of a coin, you can use a digital coin scale design specifically for weighing coins.

Details

Another way to identify counterfeit coins is by examining the details of the coin. Counterfeiters often have trouble reproducing intricate details, such as the face of a famous historical figure, the intricate design of a particular coin, or the closeness of letters and numbers. Blurred, indistinct details that are hard to see with a magnifying glass can be signs of a counterfeit.

Edges

One of the most reliable ways to determine whether a coin is genuine is by examining the edge of the coin. Genuine coins have edges that are carefully milled or reeded, which means that they have a series of parallel lines running around the circumference of the coin. Counterfeit coins, on the other hand, often have edges that are irregular. That’s because counterfeiters often use molds to create their coins, which means the edges will not be as precise as those of genuine coins.

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With over 30 years of coin broker experience, our experts have put in the time and gained the necessary experience to tell the real from the fake. We invite you to stop by our store to learn more and see our in-house, authenticated coins for a stress-free and confident purchase!