Fake American Prospector

This came up in a private conversation during a swap, and I thought I'd share with everyone by posting in this forum.

A few years ago, I was curious about fakes.  I knowingly got a bunch of them on eBay (before they outlawed the sale of replica coins) so I could play with them and hopefully learn how to spot a fake.



My observations that made the coin seem real:

1) In general appearance, the fakes are really very, very good.  Highly reflective surface with a nice frosty image of the prospector.  The artwork is simply excellent.

2) The weights and diameters came in at spec.  

3) The reeded edges look and feels perfect.

4) The coins are NOT magnetic. But today, I suppose every silver coin counterfeiter knows not to use magnetic material.

5) There is no stamped "COPY" anywhere on the coin.

But here's how I know they are fakes.

1) The guy who sold them to me at $3 each told me they were Chinese fakes. Most people would have stopped there, right?!

2) I compared the fakes to an original and noticed all the coins were too thick.  I suppose that is how they got the weight into spec.

3) The coin actually mixes up the wrong obverse and reverse.  It's been awhile so I may be off on the years, but I seem to remember it has a 1984 obverse, and a 1988 reverse. I did an internet search, and found discussions about this exact fake. That's how I noted the mismatched obverse/reverse.

4) I did an acid test for silver, and the coin failed.  A risky test for beautiful silver coins, as it burns the surface and the numismatic value of the coin is destroyed.  So, only a test of last resort.  If the solution turns brown, the material is silver.  If the solution turns green, it's NOT silver.  Here's one of the coins:



This is what the acid did to the coin.  Not sure what the center material is, but it has the color of bronze perhaps?



Here's a youtube video on the subject, (not my video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY0bbRx3K64

If it's on my swap list, (and apparently it is), I feel obligated to go out and get a stamp set and put the word "COPY" on it.

You could swap for one just for the experience.  Don't try to pass it off as a silver coin, of course. But, see it, feel it, weigh it, measure it, look it over.

So, that's my story about fake American Prospectors.

try the ice test, it would have failed instantly, https://en.numista.com/forum/topic4060.html

  dont buy silver coins without knowing how to do this. and yes, stamp COPY on it.

Thanks David.  An excellent read, and something I will add to my repertoire!

In a mad-scientist way, not nearly as fun as the acid test, but you don't have to ruin coins.

For me, properly marked replicas have a place in my collection, since I'm a bit compulsive about filling holes in my coin albums. I also appreciate the artistry of coining, which is hard to do on a tight budget.

But when I saw unmarked replicas available online from China, and especially when I saw unmarked replicas in replica PCGS cases, it made me a bit sick.

Caveat Emptor, more than ever before!

Great write up. I must admit they fooled me.
Thanks for stamping "COPY" on mine

Roy