Rare US Coins and How to Spot an Altered Morgan Silver Dollar
The vast majority of counterfeit Morgan dollars are altered specimens of less expensive issues to mimic low-supply, high-demand counterparts. The most frequently altered Morgan dates are: 1884-S, 1886-O, 1889-CC, 1892-S, 1893-S, 1894-P, proof of 1895, 1895-S, 1896-O, 1896-S, 1897-O, 1901-P, 1903-S and 1904-S.
There is not enough space in an article like this to go into detail about all the minute distinctions between Morgan dollar issues. What I want to point out is that determining if the coin you are looking at is real or fake is pretty easy when you know what to look for.
The most common giveaway for altered silver dollars is that the mint mark is not part of the field, but is instead attached. In the case of mintmark removal, the flow lines rotate or become a mintmark that no longer exists. Drawing flow lines requires a large magnification.
A complete knowledge of how each coin issue was produced is essential to detect its alterations. Study where the cracks appeared in the genuine coin, which will not appear in the altered piece.
Often there are minute gouges or polished areas that are present on every coin of a particular mint or die variety, which will not show up in the alteration. Gouges are easy to spot when you know what to look for.
Mint marks can be telltale signs of tampering. For example, a small rounded “S” was used from 1879 to 1900 and a different style “S” from 1901 to 1904.
Observing subtle differences in Morgan dollars is a primary way to spot a counterfeit or alteration. A genuine 1893-S will have the “1” in the date placed directly in line with a denticle on the edge. The 1893 “3” is slightly taller than the other numbers and also lines up with a denticle.
An 1894-O is often passed off as an 1894-P by the removal of the mintmark. For starters, look for features like New Orleans’ venerable weak attack. A genuine 1894-P has a heavy knock and 2 gouges on the “R” for LIBERTY.
Tire sizes and features are different between some of the mints. That is, the San Francisco Morgans have a flattened, rounded edge, while the Philadelphia specimens had a sharp, almost wire-like edge.
It is helpful to have close-up, detailed photographs of the coins you wish to authenticate. There is a lot of detailed information about the unique characteristics that the genuine coin possesses that an altered coin does not possess. A good reference is the PCGS book: “Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection.”
When you have reliable information about the genuine article, comparing the currency you are validating is quite easy. There is a certain personal satisfaction in validating or condemning a coin. Check out my other articles on counterfeit detection for other ways to check coins for authenticity.