Fake Coin Pictures: A Gallery of Real Counterfeits We Have Examined

The best way to learn what a fake coin looks like is to see one. This gallery shows real counterfeit, altered and fantasy coins, fake grading-service holders and counterfeit paper money.

Many of these photos are of coins collectors sent us to authenticate, so they look like real life, not a studio. For how fakes are made and tested, read our guide to fake, counterfeit and altered coins.

Jump to: U.S. Gold Coins · Early U.S. Silver and Copper Coins · Seated Liberty and Trade Dollars · Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars · Altered Dates, Added Mint Marks and Key-Date Fakes · Error Coins · Fantasy Coins and Replicas: Coins That Never Existed · Chinese and Foreign Coins · Ancient Coins · Slabs and Coins Rejected by Grading Services · How Fake Coins Are Sold · Counterfeit Paper Money

Fake U.S. Gold Coins

What to look for: Gold-plated fakes are too light, so check weight and diameter first. Look for mushy lettering, grainy fields and a color that is too bright or brassy. Tiny California fractional gold pieces are copied by the thousands.

Counterfeit 1907 Liberty Head $20 gold double eagle, obverse — Counterfeit 1907 Liberty Head $20 double eagle sent to us for authentication.

Counterfeit 1907 Liberty Head $20 double eagle reverse with soft, mushy lettering — Reverse of the same fake 1907 $20. Note the soft, mushy legends and shield lines.

Group of six fake California fractional gold coins in cardboard holders — Six “California gold” pieces in hand-labeled holders, all copies or fantasy pieces.

Fake 1865 California fractional gold half dollar in a 2x2 flip, obverse — An 1865-dated California fractional gold half dollar copy.

Counterfeit 1865 California fractional gold half dollar, reverse — Reverse of the same fake 1865 California gold half, still in its plastic sleeve.

Fake Early U.S. Silver and Copper Coins

What to look for: Early dollars, halves and cents are among the most faked U.S. coins. Check that the reverse design matches the date, and look for casting bubbles, edge seams and painted-on toning.

Counterfeit 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, obverse — Counterfeit 1794 Flowing Hair dollar. Only 1,758 genuine 1794 dollars were struck.

Counterfeit 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, reverse with eagle and wreath — Reverse of the same fake 1794 dollar.

Counterfeit 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar with orange toning, obverse — A fake 1804 dollar. Only 15 genuine 1804 dollars are known.

Counterfeit 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar, heraldic eagle reverse — Reverse of the same fake 1804 dollar.

Counterfeit 1815 Capped Bust half dollar, obverse — Fake 1815 Capped Bust half. Genuine 1815 halves are all 1815/2 overdates.

Counterfeit 1838-O Capped Bust half dollar, reverse — The reverse shows the old heraldic eagle with clouds and stars, a design last used in 1807. A real 1838-O half has a different eagle and HALF DOL.

Counterfeit 1838-O Capped Bust half dollar, obverse — Fake 1838-O half, with the O mint mark above the date.

Counterfeit 1815 Capped Bust half dollar, reverse — Reverse of the same fake 1815 half.

Counterfeit 1804 Draped Bust half dollar, reverse — Wrong reverse: an eagle with HALF DOL. below, a design from decades later. A genuine 1804 half has the heraldic eagle and no denomination on the reverse.

Counterfeit 1804 Draped Bust half dollar, obverse — Fake 1804 Draped Bust half dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1801 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1801 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1801 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1801 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1799 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1799 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1799 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1799 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1797 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1797 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1797 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1797 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1796 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1796 Draped Bust silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1796 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1796 Draped Bust silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1797 Liberty Cap half cent, obverse — Fake 1797 Liberty Cap half cent, obverse.

Counterfeit 1797 Liberty Cap half cent, reverse — Fake 1797 Liberty Cap half cent, reverse.

Fake Seated Liberty and Trade Dollars

What to look for: Check that the date and mint mark exist: the Carson City Mint did not open until 1870, so an 1840-CC is impossible. A trade dollar should weigh 27.22 grams.

Fake 1840 Seated Liberty dollar in a hand-labeled 2x2 marked Pure Silver Rare $390 — Labeled “Rare, Pure Silver” and priced at $390. The reverse carries a CC mint mark.

Reverse of a fake 1840-CC Seated Liberty dollar showing an impossible CC mint mark — The CC mint mark gives it away. The Carson City Mint did not open until 1870.

Counterfeit 1877 trade dollar obverse on a red background — An 1877-dated trade dollar copy.

Fake trade dollar reverse showing a Seated Liberty ONE DOL. eagle instead of TRADE DOLLAR — The reverse reads “ONE DOL.” with a Seated dollar eagle, not “TRADE DOLLAR.”

Counterfeit 1875-CC trade dollar, obverse — Carson City trade dollars are a favorite target of counterfeiters.

Fake 1876 trade dollar on a digital scale reading 26.55 grams — Our scale reads 26.55 g. A genuine trade dollar should weigh 27.22 g.

Counterfeit 1876 trade dollar, reverse, on a scale — The scale reads 26.54 g. A genuine trade dollar weighs 27.22 g.

Counterfeit 1885 trade dollar, obverse — Only five genuine 1885 trade dollars are known, all Philadelphia proofs.

Counterfeit 1885 trade dollar, reverse — Fake 1885 trade dollar, reverse.

Three counterfeit trade dollars dated 1877 and 1878 — Three fake trade dollars from one submission.

Counterfeit trade dollar group, reverses — Reverses of a group of fake trade dollars.

Counterfeit 1877-CC trade dollar, obverse — Fake 1877-CC trade dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1877-CC trade dollar, reverse — Fake 1877-CC trade dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1878-S trade dollar, obverse — Fake 1878-S trade dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1878-S trade dollar, reverse — Fake 1878-S trade dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1875-CC trade dollar, reverse — Fake 1875-CC trade dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1873 trade dollar, obverse — Fake 1873 trade dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1873 trade dollar, reverse — Fake 1873 trade dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1862 Seated Liberty silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1862 Seated Liberty silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1862 Seated Liberty silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1862 Seated Liberty silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1861 Seated Liberty silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1861 Seated Liberty silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1861 Seated Liberty silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1861 Seated Liberty silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1875 Seated Liberty quarter, obverse — Fake 1875 Seated Liberty quarter, obverse.

Fake Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars

What to look for: Chinese-made Morgan and Peace dollars are everywhere online. Denver struck Morgans only in 1921 and Carson City stopped in 1893. A genuine coin weighs 26.73 grams; fakes often have grainy fields and soft details.

Related: U.S. silver dollar values

Counterfeit 1881 Morgan silver dollar, obverse — A fake 1881 Morgan dollar with a D mint mark on the reverse.

Reverse of a fake 1881-D Morgan dollar with an impossible D mint mark — The Denver Mint struck Morgan dollars only in 1921, so an 1881-D does not exist.

Counterfeit 1896-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse — An 1896-CC Morgan. Carson City stopped striking coins in 1893.

Counterfeit 1896-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse — The CC mint mark below the wreath gives it away: the Carson City Mint closed in 1893.

Counterfeit 1893-S Morgan silver dollar, obverse — The 1893-S is the key date of the Morgan series and is widely faked.

Three counterfeit Morgan silver dollars on a black background — Three counterfeit Morgan dollars from one submission.

Counterfeit Morgan silver dollar group, reverses — Reverses of a group of fake Morgan dollars.

Three counterfeit Peace silver dollars showing obverse and reverse — Fake Peace dollars with grainy surfaces.

Counterfeit 1893-S Morgan silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1893-S Morgan silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1893-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1893-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1893-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1893-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1889-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1889-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1889-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1889-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1879-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1879-CC Morgan silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1879-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1879-CC Morgan silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1888 Morgan silver dollar, obverse — Common dates are faked too.

Counterfeit 1888 Morgan silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1888 Morgan silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1904 Morgan silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1904 Morgan silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1904 Morgan silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1904 Morgan silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1921 Peace silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1921 Peace silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1921 Peace silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1921 Peace silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1928 Peace silver dollar, obverse — Fake 1928 Peace silver dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1928 Peace silver dollar, reverse — Fake 1928 Peace silver dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit Peace silver dollar, reverse — Fake Peace silver dollar, reverse.

Altered Dates, Added Mint Marks and Key-Date Fakes

What to look for: Look for an added mint mark, a re-cut date digit or a plated common coin. Check for seams around the mint mark, tool marks near the date and uneven rims, and always weigh the coin. Steel 1943 cents stick to a magnet.

Fake 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent with an uneven, oversized rim — A fake 1909-S VDB. Note the thick, uneven lip along one side of the rim.

Fake 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent reverse with uneven rim — Reverse of the same fake 1909-S VDB cent.

Fake copper-colored 1943 Lincoln cent, obverse — Most “copper” 1943 cents are plated steel or altered dates.

Counterfeit 1943 copper Lincoln cent, reverse — Fake 1943 copper Lincoln cent, reverse.

Lincoln cent dated 1955 submitted as a doubled die, obverse — Sent in as a 1955 doubled die. We see no obvious doubling in the date or lettering.

Counterfeit 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent, obverse close-up — Fake 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent, obverse close-up.

Counterfeit 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent, reverse — Fake 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent, reverse.

Counterfeit 1916 Mercury dime, obverse — The 1916-D is the key Mercury dime, which makes 1916 a favorite date to fake.

Counterfeit 1916 Mercury dime, reverse — Fake 1916 Mercury dime, reverse.

Fake 1894-S Barber dime shown obverse and reverse — Only 24 genuine 1894-S dimes were struck. This is a copy.

Counterfeit 1894 Barber dime, obverse — Fake 1894 Barber dime, obverse.

Fake 1894 Barber dime on a digital scale reading 2.35 grams — Our scale reads 2.35 g. A genuine Barber dime weighs 2.50 g.

Counterfeit 1894 Barber dime, reverse, on a scale — The scale reads 2.35 g. A genuine Barber dime weighs 2.50 g.

Counterfeit 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, obverse — A second fake 1909-S VDB. Note the wide, uneven raised rim.

Counterfeit 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, reverse — Fake 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, reverse.

Counterfeit 1943-S copper Lincoln cent, obverse — Fake 1943-S copper Lincoln cent, obverse.

Counterfeit 1943-S copper Lincoln cent, reverse — Fake 1943-S copper Lincoln cent, reverse.

Counterfeit pair of 1922 Lincoln cents, obverses — Two 1922 cents with no D mint mark visible under the date.

Counterfeit 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar, obverse — Fake 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar, obverse.

Counterfeit 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar, reverse — Fake 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar, date close-up — Fake 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar, date close-up.

Fake Error Coins

What to look for: Dramatic "errors" on rare early coins are almost always made to fool error collectors. Check that the doubled or extra design is truly struck into the metal.

Fake 1803 Draped Bust half dollar made to look double struck, obverse — A fake “double strike” with the bust and date shown twice.

Fake 1803 half dollar double struck error, reverse with doubled eagle and stars — The reverse shows the eagle, stars and legend twice.

Fake 1802 Draped Bust silver dollar made to look double struck — Another fake early-dollar “error” with a doubled bust and date.

Counterfeit 1802 Draped Bust silver dollar "double strike", reverse — STATES OF appears twice on the reverse.

Fake 1942 Lincoln cent error with the date appearing twice — A fantasy “error” cent with the date shown twice.

Counterfeit 1942 Lincoln cent "error", reverse — ONE CENT and the legend appear doubled.

Fantasy Coins and Replicas: Coins That Never Existed

What to look for: A fantasy coin copies no real coin: a date never struck, a design used before it existed, or a denomination the Mint never made. No genuine U.S. silver dollar is dated 1807.

Replica 1807 Draped Bust silver dollar, a fantasy coin, obverse — A replica “1807 silver dollar.” No genuine U.S. silver dollar is dated 1807.

Counterfeit 1807 silver dollar replica, reverse — Heraldic eagle reverse of the same 1807 replica.

Fantasy 1865 dollar with a Washington quarter style portrait — A fantasy piece: a Washington quarter style portrait dated 1865.

Reverse of a fantasy 1865 one dollar coin with an eagle — An eagle reverse reading “ONE DOLLAR,” invented by the maker.

Fantasy 1851 silver-colored Indian Princess dollar, obverse — An Indian Princess head dated 1851, struck in silver-colored metal.

Reverse of a fantasy 1851 one dollar coin with wreath — Reverse of the same 1851 fantasy piece.

Four brassy yellow counterfeit early U.S. silver dollars — These “silver” dollars have an obvious brassy yellow color.

Counterfeit assorted early dollar group, reverses — Reverses of a group of brassy fake dollars.

Fake Chinese and Foreign Coins

What to look for: China makes most of the world's counterfeits, and its own dragon dollars, Kweichow auto dollars and taels are heavily copied. Spanish colonial, British India and Japanese coins are copied too; check weight and fine detail.

Counterfeit Chinese Kweichow auto dollar showing a car — The famous Kweichow “car” dollar, one of the most copied Chinese coins.

Counterfeit Kweichow auto dollar (China), reverse — Fake Kweichow auto dollar (China), reverse.

Counterfeit Szechuen Province 7 Mace and 2 Candareens dragon dollar — A copy of a Szechuen Province dragon dollar.

Counterfeit Szechuen Province 7 mace 2 candareens dollar, reverse — Fake Szechuen Province 7 mace 2 candareens dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit Kwang-Tung Province 7 Mace and 2 Candareens dragon dollar — A copy of a Kwang-Tung Province dragon dollar.

Counterfeit Kwang Tung Province 7 mace 2 candareens dollar, reverse — Fake Kwang Tung Province 7 mace 2 candareens dollar, reverse.

Counterfeit 1867 One Tael Shanghai Hong Kong coin with British arms — A copy of the rare 1867 Shanghai tael.

Counterfeit 1867 Shanghai One Tael coin, dragon side — The dragon side of the same fake tael.

Counterfeit 1783 Mexico 8 reales Charles III portrait dollar — A copy of a Spanish colonial 1783 8 reales.

Counterfeit 1783 Mexico 8 reales, reverse — Fake 1783 Mexico 8 reales, reverse.

Counterfeit 1880 British India one rupee, reverse — A copy of an 1880 Victoria rupee.

Counterfeit 1755 Mexico pillar dollar (8 reales), obverse — Fake 1755 Mexico pillar dollar (8 reales), obverse.

Counterfeit 1755 Mexico pillar dollar (8 reales), reverse — Fake 1755 Mexico pillar dollar (8 reales), reverse.

Counterfeit group of Spanish-style silver coins, obverses — Four fakes with the same cross design.

Counterfeit group of Spanish-style silver coins, reverses — Fake group of Spanish-style silver coins, reverses.

Counterfeit 1951 Mexico 5 pesos (Hidalgo), obverse — Fake 1951 Mexico 5 pesos (Hidalgo), obverse.

Counterfeit 1951 Mexico 5 pesos, reverse — Fake 1951 Mexico 5 pesos, reverse.

Counterfeit Kirin Province dragon dollar (China), obverse — Fake Kirin Province dragon dollar (China), obverse.

Counterfeit Kirin Province dragon dollar (China), reverse — Fake Kirin Province dragon dollar (China), reverse.

Counterfeit Yuan Shih Kai dollar (China), obverse — A fake Yuan Shih Kai dollar on a pile of other fakes.

Counterfeit Yuan Shih Kai dollar (China), reverse — Fake Yuan Shih Kai dollar (China), reverse.

Counterfeit Japanese one yen (dragon), dragon side — Fake Japanese one yen (dragon), dragon side.

Counterfeit Japanese one yen, reverse — Fake Japanese one yen, reverse.

Counterfeit 1916 India one rupee, reverse — Fake 1916 India one rupee, reverse.

Counterfeit India rupee, George V King Emperor, obverse — Fake India rupee, George V King Emperor, obverse.

Counterfeit India rupee, Victoria Empress, obverse — Fake India rupee, Victoria Empress, obverse.

Counterfeit India rupee, George VI King Emperor, obverse — Fake India rupee, George VI King Emperor, obverse.

Counterfeit 1915 British half crown, reverse — Fake 1915 British half crown, reverse.

Counterfeit British half crown, George V, obverse — Fake British half crown, George V, obverse.

Counterfeit 1943 British half crown, reverse — Fake 1943 British half crown, reverse.

Counterfeit 1814 Lucerne (Switzerland) silver coin, obverse and reverse — Fake 1814 Lucerne (Switzerland) silver coin, obverse and reverse.

Counterfeit Swiss 4 franken silver coin, obverse and reverse — Fake Swiss 4 franken silver coin, obverse and reverse.

Fake Ancient Coins

What to look for: Ancient fakes are cast or struck from modern dies. Look for edge seams, file marks, bubbles and soft details, and be wary of lots that look too good.

Counterfeit ancient Judean shekel with chalice — A copy of a Jewish War shekel.

Counterfeit ancient Judean shekel with pomegranates — The pomegranate side of the same fake shekel.

Counterfeit ancient Greek style stater with bearded head — A Greek-style stater copy.

Edge of a fake ancient Greek stater showing a seam or split along the rim — Check the edge. This one shows a seam or split along the rim.

Two counterfeit ancient gold staters with standing figures — Two ancient-style gold copies.

Lot of about two dozen counterfeit ancient coins on a blue background — A whole lot of fake ancient coins from one collection.

Counterfeit Ptolemaic tetradrachm, obverse — Fake Ptolemaic tetradrachm, obverse.

Counterfeit Ptolemaic tetradrachm, reverse — Fake Ptolemaic tetradrachm, reverse.

Counterfeit ancient shekel (head and eagle), obverse and reverse — Fake ancient shekel (head and eagle), obverse and reverse.

Counterfeit ancient coin with elephant design, reverse — A fake ancient coin with an elephant design.

Counterfeit Corinthian-type stater (Athena), Athena side — Fake Corinthian-type stater (Athena), Athena side.

Counterfeit Corinthian-type stater (Pegasus), Pegasus side — Fake Corinthian-type stater (Pegasus), Pegasus side.

Counterfeit archaic Greek coin with incuse punch, reverse — Fake archaic Greek coin with incuse punch, reverse.

Counterfeit ancient gold stater (Athena), obverse — Note the scratches across the surface.

Counterfeit ancient gold stater, obverse — Fake ancient gold stater, obverse.

Counterfeit lot of ancient coins, group — Fake lot of ancient coins, group.

Fake Slabs and Coins Rejected by Grading Services

What to look for: Counterfeiters copy PCGS and NGC holders and labels, so a holder alone proves nothing. Look up the cert number on the grader's website and compare the photo. Cert numbers and barcodes are blurred in these pictures.

Related: Fake certified coin case study

Fake 1856 Flying Eagle cent in a PCGS branded holder labeled PR62 — A fake 1856 Flying Eagle cent in a holder copying PCGS.

Counterfeit 1856 Flying Eagle cent in a PCGS-style holder, holder back — Fake 1856 Flying Eagle cent in a PCGS-style holder, holder back.

Counterfeit 1856 Flying Eagle cent from a fake PCGS holder, obverse close-up — Fake 1856 Flying Eagle cent from a fake PCGS holder, obverse close-up.

Counterfeit 1856 Flying Eagle cent from a fake PCGS holder, reverse close-up — Fake 1856 Flying Eagle cent from a fake PCGS holder, reverse close-up.

Counterfeit 1856 Flying Eagle cent from a fake PCGS holder, detail of the eagle — Fake 1856 Flying Eagle cent from a fake PCGS holder, detail of the eagle.

Fake 1794 Flowing Hair dollar in a PCGS branded holder labeled MS63+ — A “mint state” 1794 dollar in a PCGS-style holder.

Counterfeit 1794 Flowing Hair dollar in a PCGS-style holder, holder back — Fake 1794 Flowing Hair dollar in a PCGS-style holder, holder back.

Fake 1881-CC Morgan dollar in a PCGS branded holder labeled MS64 — An 1881-CC Morgan in a PCGS-style holder.

Counterfeit 1881-CC Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style holder, holder back — Fake 1881-CC Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style holder, holder back.

Fake Ptolemaic Kingdom gold half stater in an NGC Ancients style holder — An ancient gold fake in an NGC Ancients style holder.

Counterfeit Ptolemaic gold half stater in an NGC-style holder, holder back — Fake Ptolemaic gold half stater in an NGC-style holder, holder back.

Fake Kingdom of Thrace Lysimachus gold stater in an NGC Ancients style holder — A fake Lysimachus stater in an NGC Ancients style holder.

Counterfeit Thrace gold stater in an NGC-style holder, holder back — Fake Thrace gold stater in an NGC-style holder, holder back.

Counterfeit coins returned by grading services in flips labeled Counterfeit and Not Encapsulated — Coins sent back by grading services in flips labeled “Counterfeit” or “Not Encapsulated.”

Counterfeit 1883-CC Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style MS67 holder, front — Fake 1883-CC Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style MS67 holder, front.

Counterfeit 1893-S Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style AU50 holder, front — Fake 1893-S Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style AU50 holder, front.

Counterfeit Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style holder, holder back — Fake Morgan dollar in a PCGS-style holder, holder back.

Counterfeit 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel in a PCGS-style MS65 holder, front — Fake 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel in a PCGS-style MS65 holder, front.

Counterfeit 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel in a PCGS-style holder, obverse close-up — Fake 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel in a PCGS-style holder, obverse close-up.

Counterfeit 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel in a PCGS-style holder, reverse close-up — Fake 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickel in a PCGS-style holder, reverse close-up.

How Fake Coins Are Sold

What to look for: Fakes are often sold in hand-labeled flips marked "Rare" or "Pure Silver" at bargain prices. Treat any coin like this as suspect until an expert has examined it.

Fake U.S. silver dollars in hand-labeled 2x2 flips priced as pure silver — Fakes in hand-written flips advertising “Pure Silver” priced at several hundred dollars each.

Counterfeit mixed group of silver coins, group — A mixed group of fakes, the way they often arrive.

Counterfeit Paper Money

What to look for: Check serial numbers, printing sharpness and the security features for the note's series. Repeated, blank or all-zero serials and flat, fuzzy printing are warning signs.

Related: Sell paper currency

Counterfeit Series 1988 $100 Federal Reserve note, front — A counterfeit Series 1988 $100 bill. Older designs have no color-shifting ink or portrait watermark to check, which is why they are copied.

Counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve note, back with Independence Hall — Back of the same counterfeit $100.

Altered 1917 one dollar United States note with serial numbers reading T00000000A — Both serial numbers read T00000000A. Real notes carry a unique serial number, never all zeros.

Counterfeit 1862 Confederate States of America $100 note — A counterfeit Confederate $100. The serial number spaces after “No.” are blank.

Think You Have a Fake? Get a Free, No-Obligation Authentication and Appraisal

American Rarities has been in business since 1990. We are BBB A+ rated, an ANA Life Member, and have appraisers in every state, so we see genuine coins and fakes every day.

Use the form at americanrarities.com to send photos and a description
Text photos to 720-600-4740
Email staff@americanrarities.com

There is no cost and no obligation. If your coin is genuine, we will tell you what it is worth.

Fake Coin FAQ

How can I tell if my coin is fake?

Check weight and diameter, then make sure the date and mint mark combination exists. Under magnification, look for mushy details, grainy surfaces, edge seams and tool marks. An expert examination is the surest answer.

Is a coin in a PCGS or NGC holder always genuine?

No. Counterfeiters copy holders and labels. Look up the cert number on the grading service's website and compare the coin with the photo on file.

What is a fantasy coin?

A piece that copies no real coin, such as a date that was never struck or a denomination the Mint never made.

Are fake coins worth anything?

Generally no. Most are base metal or plated, and they should never be sold as genuine.

Can you authenticate my coin for free?

Yes. Use the form at americanrarities.com or text photos to 720-600-4740 for a free, no-obligation authentication and appraisal.