Beware of Chinese counterfeit dollars

[tnt-hunter]

With the recent posting of what looks like Chinese counterfeit coins I remembered I had some coins stashed away the I got in China. My wife and I took a trip to China back in 2014. I bought some US silver dollars while there. The first batch I saw looked good and I was able to get them for what I thought was a good price. I had an old flip phone and no internet connection so I couldn’t check them until we got back to the river boat we were on and the WiFi connection on my iPad. After I looked them up I knew they were counterfeit. I did buy a couple more at a very reduced price just for the variety and the souvenir value.

As we toured around I noticed they were everywhere. So I can only guess how many people got taken in and how many of these people tried to sell once they got home. So be careful what you buy, you might be getting a Chinese counterfeit instead of the real deal.

I’m no expert and people with more knowledge of silver dollars will spot more problems with the coins, but here they are with the things I can see that makes them counterfeit.

These dollars all have In God We Trust and are marked CC for the Carson City mint. In God We Trust did not appear on coins until 1864 when they put it on the 2 cent piece. Also the Carson City mint didn’t operate until 1870 and all these are dated well before that.

The trade dollar is the right year, but on the real one there is a ribbon with LIBERTY on it being held in lady liberty’s hand. It is missing on this one.

The Morgan dollars look good to me. I’m sure there are some irregularities, but I haven’t spotted them. One of them is definitely a counterfeit because the plating has split in several places and the under metal is showing through.

Most of the coins have a stain on them that makes the coins look dirty like they are old. To me the staining does not look right for old silver coins. Also it does not come off using the normal methods of cleaning silver coins, another indicator that these are counterfeit. Beware of coins for sale that could be Chinese counterfeits. Don’t be fooled like I was. It didn’t cost me too much and now I know a lot more than I did then.

Thanks for looking, stay safe, good luck and keep swingin.

 

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[cudamark]

I always remember this woman that panhandling on Bloor St west. The Rodeo Drive of shopping in Toronto (mid 1980s).
She wasn't shy, $2 or $5 requests.

She worked the street, folks complied, amazing 👏
I decided to see what my request would be.

She asked for $2

I engaged and asked why?
She asked again-"Give me $2"

I said I will give you money for all the gold on your fingers. We'll weigh it, and I'll give you money.
Yes the blue air, and finger wagging was priceless.

To facilitate the habits of most that bum money today is just feeding the addiction.

Sitting there, smart phone, smoking brand name smokes, drinking $4-6 dollar drinks.
Looking quite fit, and working the system.

The tune line plays in the mind.
"Walk on bye"

Agreed. A few years back when we actually had news reporters, there was an expose' of what some of these pan handlers were making, and if they were truly needy. Some were, but, many were also quite well off, with a house, car, living in a nice neighborhood, etc. Seems some found it much easier to make money that way than to get an actual job. They were just playing poor and downtrodden and were scamming everyone.

 

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[pepperj]

Agreed. A few years back when we actually had news reporters, there was an expose' of what some of these pan handlers were making, and if they were truly needy. Some were, but, many were also quite well off, with a house, car, living in a nice neighborhood, etc. Seems some found it much easier to make money that way than to get an actual job. They were just playing poor and downtrodden and were scamming everyone.

I had scrap customers that could make $35-50 an hour doing the I ran of gas.
They'd score lots taking a woman and kid, the cash flowed.

 

[unclemac]

you do not sound like you have much personal experience with addiction. It may start as a choice but it soon becomes something else. Addicts are no longer getting "high", they are surviving, and sick as hell. What started out as one thing quickly becomes something they need just to live. Opiate addiction is the most monstrous thing I have ever seen, alcoholism is childs play in comparison. And like I said, I don't judge the need, mothers, hitchhikers, folks in wheelchairs, It doesn't matter. I travel in a very urban area, there is a diverse need.

 

[unclemac]

Agreed. A few years back when we actually had news reporters, there was an expose' of what some of these pan handlers were making, and if they were truly needy. Some were, but, many were also quite well off, with a house, car, living in a nice neighborhood, etc. Seems some found it much easier to make money that way than to get an actual job. They were just playing poor and downtrodden and were scamming everyone.

of course there are folk that do that, but there are others that don't. Just like there are folk that cheat our asses off in business or government. Not my place to judge.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

You guys could be right. Maybe the guy asking for money is an addict or a drunk, but maybe he hasn't eaten in three days. I won't take that chance and will always give them at least a couple of bucks. Just my nature, I guess. I can be one nasty human being (as some of you know), but I do have some good traits...

 

[pepperj]

you do not sound like you have much personal experience with addiction. It may start as a choice but it soon becomes something else. Addicts are no longer getting "high", they are surviving, and sick as hell. What started out as one thing quickly becomes something they need just to live. Opiate addiction is the most monstrous thing I have ever seen, alcoholism is childs play in comparison. And like I said, I don't judge the need, mothers, hitchhikers, folks in wheelchairs, It doesn't matter. I travel in a very urban area, there is a diverse need.

You posted after my post so I guess directed at me, as I don't have personal experience with addiction?

My 40th anniversary for rum is July 4th
For drugs it's May 24th and it will be my 38th

I walked in the shoes of the street person.
Seen and lived many horror stories as they all do.

I actually wear my addictions as a badge of honor. Reasons being I crawled out, got clean. I fixed what was broken AFTER I figured out what was broken.

I've read every post in this thread, and some actually have it right.
Some want the pat, as they seem to have that need to fulfill it seems.

 

[Treasure Hunting NM]

As long as there are no more political posts thread can continue.

Treasure Hunting NM, my wife is Filipino born, naturalized American citizen, been to Philippines 6 or 7 times and use to live in Okinawa before it was returned to Japan. I have seen extreme poverty, but that doesn't mean we should buy counterfeit coins, that are then resold to unsuspecting buyers.

Sorry, but, all this do-gooder, well intentioned charity does nothing, but enable them to continue with their hand out and produce another generation of the same. Instead of all this temporary, feel-good aid which doesn't take tomorrow into account, the root of the problem needs to be addressed. In many cases, that means a change in leadership by whatever means possible. As for our "homeless" problem.....the only ones I feel for are the mentally ill. The rest are there by their own poor choices. Homelessness is the result, not the problem. Giving them housing will only perpetuate the problem and allow them to continue being a bum with no incentive to get off their drugs. Help is available to those willing to follow the rules to accept it. And yes, I've done some travelling in the world, maybe not as many hell holes as you have been, but, poverty areas none-the-less. Their problem is lack of opportunity inflicted on them from their leaders, not their lack of desire to improve their lives. Sure, the immediate need is food and shelter, but, the future is what they really need to address or they will never escape their fate and all this aid is for naught.

Well I'm more then happy to continue on my path to help people. I don't do it for man's approval. It's all about making the world a better place. We don't just go to these places to pat people on the back. We've put wells in for water, taught kids about hygiene, plant churches, etc. We packed up over 250,000 healthy meals that we brought with us. So as far as that goes it's doing exactly like you said as far as teaching people to do things to better their futures or to teach a man to fish as you say. Heck we've even given goats to communities so they can have milk and year after year we go and check on the goats and they are still serving their intended purpose.

As far as the homelessness goes in the US that's a whole other story. A lot of them don't want to be off the streets. They don't want anything to change. They have a cycle they followed. They got paid every month (welfare) and would take the money, rent hotel rooms with the other homeless and have parties with drugs and drinking and as that money ran out we would see more and more of them come back for free meals etc. They would panhandle to keep money coming in. I swear in New Mexico there was a couple people at every intersection asking for money. Giving them "handouts" would never change anything.
I think the difference between overseas and here is that the people overseas want to change their lives for the better whereas here the majority don't care. They like their lives the way they are. Giving people handouts won't solve this problem. They need exactly as you say a way to get them off the streets. We have even had people come in that have programs available to help people get off the streets give seminars all to no avail.

Trust me I am no expert about any of this. I'm just a humble servant who has seen a lot and wants to be part of the good. It's a huge problem that we haven't figured out yet.

 

[Treasure Hunting NM]

As long as there are no more political posts thread can continue.

Treasure Hunting NM, my wife is Filipino born, naturalized American citizen, been to Philippines 6 or 7 times and use to live in Okinawa before it was returned to Japan. I have seen extreme poverty, but that doesn't mean we should buy counterfeit coins, that are then resold to unsuspecting buyers.

I agree. Mine weren't bought for the purpose to resell them to a unsuspecting buyers.

 

[Randawg72]

I have an 1804 silver dollar I picked up someplace years ago. I'm pretty sure it's a Chinese fake since it is well known that only 15 real ones exist!..

 

[ToddsPoint]

I have an 1804 silver dollar I picked up someplace years ago. I'm pretty sure it's a Chinese fake since it is well known that only 15 real ones exist!..

View attachment 2189851

The mint records show 19,570 dollars were struck in 1804. The records don’t say they were dated 1804. Experts think they were struck in 1804 still using 1803 dies. 1804 dollars were struck again with an 1804 date in the 1830s for collectors.

 

[pepperj]

I have an 1804 silver dollar I picked up someplace years ago. I'm pretty sure it's a Chinese fake since it is well known that only 15 real ones exist!..

View attachment 2189851

If you have a good gram scale the weight will answer your question.

 

[Randawg72]

If you have a good gram scale the weight will answer your question.

I don't have a scale but it noticeably lacks the heft and feel of a Morgan dollar.
Most of the ones you see are marked COPY someplace but this one isn't.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I don't have a scale but it noticeably lacks the heft and feel of a Morgan dollar.
Most of the ones you see are marked COPY someplace but this one isn't.

That’s the problem with all these Chinese fakes. They’re not marked “copy”!

 

[Randawg72]

That’s the problem with all these Chinese fakes. They’re not marked “copy”!

I did an eBay search, and you're right. The majority of fake coins now being offered are unmarked, and many are listed as authentic!

 

[pepperj]

I did an eBay search, and you're right. The majority of fake coins now being offered are unmarked, and many are listed as authentic!

Here are 2 and the weights.
1889-26.779grams.
1885- 26.700 grams
Also the silver test.

 

[unclemac]

You posted after my post so I guess directed at me, as I don't have personal experience with addiction?

My 40th anniversary for rum is July 4th
For drugs it's May 24th and it will be my 38th

I walked in the shoes of the street person.
Seen and lived many horror stories as they all do.

I actually wear my addictions as a badge of honor. Reasons being I crawled out, got clean. I fixed what was broken AFTER I figured out what was broken.

I've read every post in this thread, and some actually have it right.
Some want the pat, as they seem to have that need to fulfill it seems.

good on ya, so you of all people should know the arc of recovery, and how for some it has gone beyond a choice.

 

[unclemac]

i don't think ebay cares if they say "copy" or not any more. I seem to remember years ago they did.

 

[pepperj]

good on ya, so you of all people should know the arc of recovery, and how for some it has gone beyond a choice.

I knew what the blue & Yellow pills did before I was in school. Pop one, and life's troubles disappeared.
Having to deal with life problems preschool isn't a great thing to be having. Basically it gives a time stamp where it began.

 

[cudamark]

of course there are folk that do that, but there are others that don't. Just like there are folk that cheat our asses off in business or government. Not my place to judge.

Why not? I judge things of all sorts on a daily basis. That's the only way we make an informed choice. I choose not to kill these drug addicts by giving them the means to commit suicide. If you think that whatever you give them is not going to further their habit (and possibly/probably kill them) you're incredibly naive. Those that are not drug addicts have ways to get off the streets and feed themselves. There are programs everywhere for those wanting help and are willing to follow the rules.

 

[cudamark]

I agree. Mine weren't bought for the purpose to resell them to a unsuspecting buyers.

Unless you plan to be buried with them, whoever is a future owner may not have the same scruples.