Counterfeit 1878-CC half dollar. Hover to zoom.
This crude fake is a good opportunity to review common authentication questions.
For the Carson City Mint, 1878 was a watershed year. Minting of dimes, quarters, and half dollars ceased there for good, as there was little use at the time for more of these coins. The declining price of silver had prompted people who had been hoarding these denominations to return them to circulation.
The mintage for the 1878-CC half dollar was a mere 62,000, making it a key date in the series. Even lightly circulated examples can be worth thousands of dollars.
Recently, this purported example of an 1878-CC half dollar was submitted to NGC. It has a number of problems, providing a good opportunity to review your authentication abilities.
First, it’s always a good idea to check the coin’s weight. This coin is 12.25 grams, which is 0.25 grams (or two percent) below what is expected. This doesn’t necessarily mean the coin is a fake, because U.S. Mint tolerances and wear due to circulation could explain the difference. It does raise concern, however.
Genuine 1878-CC half dollar.
Next, take a look at the entire coin. Overall, this particular coin has an odd luster and a pimply surface, especially when compared to what a genuine example (like the one above) looks like. Both of these raise red flags.
Close-ups of counterfeit 1878-CC half dollar
Next, begin to examine the coin’s design elements. This coin exhibits poor details on both sides, and it is especially noticeable in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse. The porous surfaces on the tops of the letters as well as design elements are also a concern. Another warning sign are the lumps of metal by the stars on the obverse and near the word HALF on the reverse.
Close-ups of counterfeit 1878-CC half dollar
Two details in particular should always be examined closely: The date and the mintmark. Note how skinny and misshapen the curves of the 8’s appear when compared with the genuine example. The CC mintmark on the reverse is also misshapen, with the letters also appearing to have gone on a diet. In fact, this mintmark is not only the wrong style, it is far too large for any half dollar reverse dies used after 1876. This alone is enough to determine this coin is not genuine.
A well-trained eye can also see spikes emerging from the rim below the word HALF. Spikes like these are called tool marks, and they indicate that a counterfeiter was attempting to fix a problem with the counterfeit die in that area.
Though a metallurgical analysis was not necessary in this case, NGC did determine that this counterfeit is 78% copper, 20% zinc, and 2% nickel. An 1878-CC half dollar should be 90% silver and 10% copper.
Not all counterfeits are this easy to spot. If you are uncertain about the authenticity of a coin, remember that NGC backs its determinations of authenticity and grade with the NGC Guarantee.
Did you know? NGC has created a comprehensive Counterfeit Detection resource to help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit and altered coins. Visit here.
Press release courtesy of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
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Out of curiosity and to study them, I have been acquiring some fake coins from a Chinese web site that sells a little bit of everything. One other trait I have commonly noticed on the fakes is that sharp “edge” in some places that does not seem to be common on genuine US coins. Look closely at the close-up image of the reverse above “states of” – the thin double-line right at the very outside edge. The full image doesn’t seem to show enough detail to see that particular detail, or it has been cropped a little too tightly.
Another thing to look at is the “3rd face” of the coin – the rim. These coins are are worn/aged to look circulated, but I have noticed on at least one that the rim “faces” still have luster to them even though they are blackened…whereas in a real circulated coin they would be just as dull as the obverse and reverse.