2 more counterfeit 1878 Morgan Dollars

[mattgaudian]

Last year I found a counterfeit 1878 morgan dollar in an area lake. Tonight I went back and found 2 more in the same spot. These 2 were bent and black. What was going on in this lake.

 

[trapperart]

Real or fake still nice finds congrats

 

[mattgaudian]

They all ring in as a solid 81 on the AT Pro

 

[Diggin Dude]

Cool finds..... Can have them tested? 81 on AT-Pro seems like a aluminum reading? Congrats HH

 

[Carolina Tom]

I remember the one last year... and two more... very nice.

If other people believe they are real, go with it...

"...I found a couple of Morgans in the lake today..." Try that on for size.

Congrats on the sweet finds!

 

[firemac]

Yes, Check them really good!

 

[against the wind]

They don't stick to a magnet

Hit the edge of one of them with a file,, they may be aluminum.
If you have a silver tester, you can put the filings in the silver acid.
Another way is to take it to a jeweler and have him/her test it.
Good luck and HH

 

[CRUSADER]

My first impressions are that they are real.

 

[Shiloh]

Found one 25 yrs ago in Bay Minette Al. In the front yard of an old house. Can't remember what I did with it.

 

[Wyoming Valley Relics]

They all ring in as a solid 81 on the AT Pro

your detector will give you an idea of what it is based on its size more then what alloys are in it.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Congratz on them either way! I would have a heart attack if I found a Morgan. The idea that it was fake would be devastating for me. Hopefully, your constitution is greater than mine!

 

[against the wind]

your detector will give you an idea of what it is based on its size more then what alloys are in it.

On the AT PRO,, 86-87 is a quarter reading.
A Silver Dollar, based on size alone, should read 89-90.

 

[Tuberale]

If they are fake, the lake may be a dumping site for them, mattguadian. Would be interesting to find a few hundred more ...

 

[mattgaudian]

I believe that they are very old counterfeits and were dumped in the lake for some reason. Even though I don't think they are real I like the history associated with them. I just wish I knew where they came from.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

It's surprising some still say have tested even after the OP stated in the title they are counterfeits, and at 30% underweight not very good ones at that.
There are literally tons of these things floating around. I imagine most coins shops would have a basket full I know my local coin shop does, Ebay is full of them.
Some are a lot closer to actual weight too, here is just one example @ 26 grams. There are MANY sellers of these.


These can be bought for 2 bucks apiece. here
1888 Year United States Eagle Shape Silver Coins Ancient Antique One Dollar Replica Coin Feng shui on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

If you check that link you'll see that a few "lots" were sold in the US, so buying from a US ebay seller is no guarantee of not getting one of these.
These guys also make them with real 90% silver too for a bit more money, and some will even put them in PCGS holders for you. Which BTW is why I'd never buy a coin in a coffin, that no guarantee. Just think if those guys can make a decent counterfeit coin, how hard is it to make a plastic box ? Being able to grade, and recognize this stuff is the best security.

Cool find, and honestly I wouldn't mind finding one, it would be a rush for a couple of seconds, which is about the same as any find anyway, because as soon as it goes in the pouch were off swinging for the next target.

 

[jeff of pa]

there are hundreds of reports on counterfeit dollars in the Minnesota papers alone.
Very Few list dates. I only found these two Listing dates in the general area

1878 counterfeits
St. Paul daily globe. (Saint Paul, Minn.), 29 Feb. 1884.

Excerpt:


Whole Story.

St. Paul daily globe. (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, February 29, 1884, Image 2 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress


How Confident are you on the " 8 " ? I can't tell on my Computer.

• The Virginia enterprise. (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.), 19 Feb. 1904.

The Virginia enterprise. (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, February 19, 1904, Image 4 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress

 

[metaldetkid]

When I was a coin dealer I seen tons of the counterfeit dollars. Seated and Morgan $$. The ones I saw were all from Afghanistan. Soldiers were bringing them home after deployed to area finding them in caves by the bushel. Liter and wrong composite. a silver acid test kit will show it. That sucks because that would be a great bunch to find.

 

[mattgaudian]

I originally said 1878 but it was hard to read the dates I now know they are all from 1879

 

[jeff of pa]

I originally said 1878 but it was hard to read the dates I now know they are all from 1879

how close to Evelith did you find them ? If you don't mind saying.

Not that they couldn't have traveled.
Just curious.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very interesting finds!

 

[mattgaudian]

how close to Evelith did you find them ? If you don't mind saying.

Not that they couldn't have traveled.
Just curious.

We are about 6 hours from evelith but who knows