From left to right, counterfeit coin dies classified as level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 on the Dubay scale.
The third in a multi-part series, adapted from MEGA RED: A Guide Book of United States Coins, Deluxe Edition (first ed., 2015). Part 1, “Quality Factors,” can be viewed here. Part 2, “The Trouble With Dies,” can be viewed here.
The D-1 To D-4 Classification System
In all aspects of coin collecting, knowledge is strength. At first glance, the qualities of counterfeit coin dies may not seem as important as the details of the “coins” they produce—but in reality, the more one learns about the process, the more readily one can recognize the results. In this series so far, we’ve talked about the many factors that affect the quality of a counterfeit coin, with particular attention in part 2 to the different kinds of counterfeit dies and their associated problems. In this installment, we’ll discuss a four-level classification system developed by Dr. Gregory V. DuBay. As a noted expert in Chinese counterfeits, Dr. DuBay teaches a class in counterfeit detection for the American Numismatic Association.
This system is not a set of coin-grading standards along the same lines as Dr. William Sheldon’s 70-point scale for early large cents, or the Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins. It is, rather, designed as a method to accurately describe the quality of modern counterfeits and their dies, by providing universal standards for their analysis.
Level D-1
Die Characteristics
- Die steel often is of poor quality
- Dies often are recycled with design elements of the previous coin type
- Die surfaces are flat
- Coin design elements are in low relief
- Very few fine details are present
- Mottoes, initials, and mintmarks are incomplete or absent
- Die blemishes are common
- Die damage, such as clash marks, is seen
- Die surface is granular or poorly polished
- Rust and die neglect often are evident Diameter is not within mint tolerance
An angled view and (below) a straight-on view of a level-1 counterfeit “Morgan dollar” die. (Hover over any images in this story to zoom.) Note the overall crudeness of the design and the poor reproduction of the letters.
“Coin” Characteristics
- Relief is low, flatly struck
- Metal composition is wrong for the coin type
- Dimensions are rarely within mint tolerances
- Weight is below standard for the coin type
- Specific gravity is incorrect for the coin type
- Surface is granular
- Designs are damaged by excessive grease or other surface die problems
- Design and devices are fuzzy
- Coloration is odd
- Edge design often is incorrect for the coin type
- Rims usually are sharp, square
- Die pairing often is inconsistent with the coin type
- Post-strike enhancement is rare
- Mottoes are incomplete or missing
- Die flaws are obvious
Level D-2
Die Characteristics
- Die surfaces are flat
- Design elements are in low relief
- All major details are present, but some are weak
- Stars are flat, lacking central detail
- Surfaces have been lightly polished to remove defects
- Small details (e.g., initials and mintmarks) often are missing
- Die defects from mishandling often are evident
- Hand engraving of fine details is typical
- Granular surfaces are notable upon magnification
A level-2 “Morgan dollar” die, and a notable improvement over the previous example.
“Coin” Characteristics
- Central and peripheral designs are in low relief
- Metal composition is wrong for the coin type
- Rims are square and prooflike
- Specific gravity is incorrect for the coin type
- Surface is granular
- Devices are soft and incomplete
- Mottoes are incomplete in portions
- Edge design or reed count often is incorrect for the coin type
- Post-strike enhancement is often evident
- Die flaws are often seen
- Often sold in pre-packaged sets
Level D-3
Die Characteristics
- Steel used for die fabrication is of high quality
- Design and devices are deeply cut
- Small details (e.g., designer initials and mintmarks) usually are weak or absent
- Dies are highly polished and well finished, with only slight granulation
- Surfaces are flat or only slightly dished
- Dies show signs of hand engraving to enhance fine details
- Diameter is within mint tolerance
A level-3 “Liberty Seated dollar” die.
“Coin” Characteristics
- Physical characteristics are close to mint tolerances
- Metal composition often is correct for the coin type, but trace elements might not be accurate on surface analysis
- Specific gravity is close to accurate for the coin’s metal composition
- Surfaces are mostly free of die flaws
- Edge design is correct for the coin type
- Rims are rounded to appear as a circulation strike
- Inscriptions are complete, but may have weak areas
- Post-strike enhancement is common
- Wear and damage (simulated to appear to be caused by circulation) is common
- Stars often are weak and lack central details
- Purposeful planchet imperfections are often evident
- Central details usually are clear and distinct
- Peripheral details are somewhat weak or mushy, unless the dies are of high quality and have been dished to enhance metal flow
Level D-4
Die Characteristics
- Steel used for die fabrication is of the highest quality
- Engraving is deep, with attention paid to fine details
- Dies are heavily polished, to remove any tooling marks
- Surfaces are dished to enhance metal flow during the strike
- Diameter is precisely to mint specifications
A carefully prepared, level-4 counterfeit Liberty Walking half dollar die.
“Coin” Characteristics
- Metallic content is accurate to mint tolerance
- Weight, diameter, and thickness meet mint specifications
- Striking pressure was equal to original mint specifications
- Multiple striking to achieve full detail is common
- Edge treatment is correct for the coin type: square for Proofs and rounded for circulation strikes
- Edge design is correct for the year and coin type
- Specific gravity is accurate for the coin’s metal composition
- Reed count is accurate for the coin type
- Upper circulated grades are most common, the “coins” having been treated to reduce their newly minted appearance
- Post-strike enhancement is advanced; artificial coloration, wear, scratches, graffiti, and circulation damage are standard
- Pre-strike planchet damage is often seen
- Surfaces are free of non-standard die defects
- Die defects typically used as diagnostic features on genuine coins are reproduced
In the next post, we’ll consider some specific advice for avoiding counterfeit coins, and we’ll look at a few straightforward tools for eliminating obvious fakes. (The latter part will be adapted from Whitman Publishing’s forthcoming Silver: Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Sell Today.)
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Not to self promote but I wrote a Chapter on Modern Chinese Forgeries in my new book “Forgotten Coins of the North American Colonies- 25th Anniversary. I will admit this three part series is very good. I still think however the easiest way to detect a Chines fake is too look at the edge and see if its old and proper and to look at the top of the motifs as most from the die transfer process have a sandpaper look under magnification and real easy to spot with a stereo microscope. Of course as I mention in my book the most common alloys are Fe/Ni, German Silver, Debased Silver and sometimes rarely the same alloy as the original although I have yet to verify this type but people keep verifying it in articles. Although I only examined just about 100 pieces in my study for the book.