Counterfeit modern coins

[CoinK]

Starting a new thread on counterfeit coins of recent times. antique coins I understand are something else.

I'm relatively new to the game and trying to get the hang of everything. when I read on the internet, I get the feeling that there are fake coins floating around everywhere.

But I have now spent days trying to find a coin that is fake but look real. everything I can find looks like it could be settled in a few minutes with the help of a 5xloupe and a picture of a real one.

At first glance they can fool many, but with the help of a magnet, scale, measure, magnifying glass. Is there really any danger of being cheated?

if anyone has any pictures of a some fake coins it would be very interesting to see.

The reason why I'm asking is second hand market.

[daca]

https://www.fakebullion.com/

[CoinK]

9 minutes ago, daca said:

https://www.fakebullion.com/

Have seen this site and its just my point. By looking at a coin with a magnifying glass and comparing to a genuine coin it would be "easy" to separate 

[WizardOfSov]

My take is that nobody would bother making them if nobody was buying them.

 

[Happypanda88]

You could take a look at AliExpress. Search for the coin you're interested in.

It has all sorts of replica (fake) coins for sale.

Edited January 8, 2023 by Happypanda88

[Pete]

The Chinese fake copies are hard to spot as they are manufactured to a very high quality trying to replicate the genuine item.
You can purchase thousands of coins for very little money and sell them on eBay as many cheats already do without any apparent prosecution etc.

Would you be able to detect a good fake ?
There are many tests available and many fallible.
Having the genuine item on hand for comparison is always a good starting point.
A genuine coin can feel different and if you spin it on a hard desk it rings differently.

Bad fakes are very easy to spot because the cameo is wrong, there are obvious errors on the strike, some can be magnetic.
Usually the give away of a good replica is it is too thick because people measure diameter very accurately and thickness is more difficult as you have to ignore the rim.

Acid tests are no good because fakes can be plated and you really don't want to damage your coin with acid or a file.

Replicating silver, gold and platinum is easy visually but without a proper scientific analyser to measure the metal you can try a specific gravity test.
This measurement takes precision but it will definitely pick out a fake if done with care.

Would a seller ever accept the coin supplied was a fake ?
They could argue you substituted it etc.

Finally - avoid buying from someone you cannot trust and if concerned walk away - the savings can be minimal but the worry later just isn't worth it.

 

 

[CoinK]

59 minutes ago, Pete said:

The Chinese fake copies are hard to spot as they are manufactured to a very high quality trying to replicate the genuine item.
You can purchase thousands of coins for very little money and sell them on eBay as many cheats already do without any apparent prosecution etc.

Would you be able to detect a good fake ?
There are many tests available and many fallible.
Having the genuine item on hand for comparison is always a good starting point.
A genuine coin can feel different and if you spin it on a hard desk it rings differently.

Bad fakes are very easy to spot because the cameo is wrong, there are obvious errors on the strike, some can be magnetic.
Usually the give away of a good replica is it is too thick because people measure diameter very accurately and thickness is more difficult as you have to ignore the rim.

Acid tests are no good because fakes can be plated and you really don't want to damage your coin with acid or a file.

Replicating silver, gold and platinum is easy visually but without a proper scientific analyser to measure the metal you can try a specific gravity test.
This measurement takes precision but it will definitely pick out a fake if done with care.

Would a seller ever accept the coin supplied was a fake ?
They could argue you substituted it etc.

Finally - avoid buying from someone you cannot trust and if concerned walk away - the savings can be minimal but the worry later just isn't worth it.

 

 

Tnaks for the insight. What I don't understand is why there are no pictures of this coins on the web. I have see hundreds during my DD but not one have been over lets say 95%. 

If all this perfect coins are out there with right color, weight, dimension and strike. Why is there no pictures of them?

Please post a picture of a replica coin that would fool someone with a magnifying glass.

Fake clothes, shoes, and so on on Alibaba are most often pictures of the real unit. It's not what you get in the mail. Trust i bought some Oakley sunglasses and they went in the trash. The pictures were spot on.

The reason I have a hang up on this is that there are no evidence that this perfect coins exist. Or I haven't find it. 

 

Edit. If they are some common and can fool anyone without a anelyser. Where are the pictures of them? They should have been all over with stories. I asked my coin dealer if this is an issues with modern coins and he told me had never seen a coin he couldn't spot from a meter  that was fake. 

Edited January 8, 2023 by CoinK

[daca]

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/39-2016-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/36-2000-australian-lunar-dragon-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/53-2014-australian-year-of-the-horse-1-ounce-silver-coin-matte

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/35-2014-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/34-2016-australian-monkey-1-ounce-silver-coin-2

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/33-2016-australian-monkey-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/31-2015-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/30-2015-australian-funnel-web-spider-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/27-2015-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/25-2015-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/24-2000-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/22-2014-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/37-2016-australian-kangaroo-1-ounce-silver-coin

 

[daca]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32588296884.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004936451487.html

Edited January 8, 2023 by daca

[CoinK]

12 minutes ago, daca said:

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/39-2016-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/36-2000-australian-lunar-dragon-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/53-2014-australian-year-of-the-horse-1-ounce-silver-coin-matte

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/35-2014-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/34-2016-australian-monkey-1-ounce-silver-coin-2

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/33-2016-australian-monkey-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/31-2015-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/30-2015-australian-funnel-web-spider-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/27-2015-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/25-2015-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/24-2000-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/22-2014-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/37-2016-australian-kangaroo-1-ounce-silver-coin

 

 

10 minutes ago, daca said:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32588296884.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004936451487.html

My point exactly. All of the examples are OK copy but far away for something thats not possible to see with naked eye. 

 

[daca]

1 minute ago, CoinK said:

My point exactly. All of the examples are OK copy but far away for something thats not possible to see with naked eye. 

Put a real coin and a copy (from fakebullion) in the hand of average Joe and he cant tell which is the real one. 

[daca]

@CoinK is this the  real deal or not? https://www.ebay.com/itm/394403673285?hash=item5bd44a74c5:g:DjwAAOSw8ItjWyQF

[Fenlander1]

Still learning and still very limited knowledge I would say fake the detail around the head and bell look off. Colour is wrong for me to purchase. There is enough doubt for me not to purchase

[CoinK]

15 minutes ago, daca said:

@CoinK is this the  real deal or not? https://www.ebay.com/itm/394403673285?hash=item5bd44a74c5:g:DjwAAOSw8ItjWyQF

It's not 24c. It looks like something I find in my son's pirate chest. Probably why they write .24c 

 

[daca]

The coin is real, the fake is the gold content

http://about.ag/FakeCookIslands24Gold.htm

 

[WizardOfSov]

35 minutes ago, CoinK said:

It's not 24c. It looks like something I find in my son's pirate chest. Probably why they write .24c 

 

Currently at 31 bids which does suggest people are fooled by these things does it not?

[Fenlander1]

Missed the .24c I really must stop doing checking on my phone. Can't really do side by side comparisons.

Got to go now and order myself a laptop.🤣

Thank you the lesson.

[daca]

 

[Fenlander1]

Hello again Daca

I find the identification of counterfeit coins an interesting subject I am trying to do more reading and slowly educating myself.

My interest peaked after my 1lb silver eagle thread and the valid comments made were very educational for me.

I haven't ventured into purchasing on fleabay since then as I can see how easily it would be to get caught out. I have since only purchased from trusted sellers on the forum just for peace of mind as it might be weeks after I have purchased a coin that I may see it. ( live on a boat all pms go to my sons house).

My journey has taught me how to measure coins accurately, magnetic testing, ping testing, and how to measure specific gravity. Laptop next for side by side comparisons.

I thank your sir for your insights into this subject

[Silversavant]

If its a silver brit without milk spots then you knows it's fake...🤪

Edited January 8, 2023 by Silversavant

[Fenlander1]

Don't forget those quality Maples. I put 1 tube in caps kept 1 tube unopened checked the other day before listing and low and behold you guessed it no difference both wonderfully spotted.

[dicker]

This site is well worth a look.  Modern British counterfeits listed, photographed and analysed (well a bit)

http://www.thefakepoundcoindatabase.co.uk

Best

Dicker

[Happypanda88]

4 hours ago, daca said:

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/39-2016-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/36-2000-australian-lunar-dragon-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/53-2014-australian-year-of-the-horse-1-ounce-silver-coin-matte

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/35-2014-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/34-2016-australian-monkey-1-ounce-silver-coin-2

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/33-2016-australian-monkey-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/31-2015-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/30-2015-australian-funnel-web-spider-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/27-2015-australian-koala-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/25-2015-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/24-2000-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/22-2014-australian-kookaburra-1-ounce-silver-coin

https://www.fakebullion.com/index.php/component/k2/item/37-2016-australian-kangaroo-1-ounce-silver-coin

 

With those Australian replica (fake) coins, they are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

There is a blank stare (hollow eyes) on the effigy of the Queen with the fake ones.

 

 

[SidS]

I'm stepping into conspiracy territory here. Does anyone think that releasing a ton of fakes onto the market might be a damn good way to undermine stackers/preppers when it comes to bartering their stack during economic hardship or the ever expected zombie apocalypse?

Put it another way, if people were happy to barter for something you had (food, alcohol, cigarettes etc.) And offered payment in bullion, would you readily accept or would you be always wondering if they were exceptionally good knockoffs that they were paying you with?

You see how many posts there are on here about 'is it genuine?'

Would tons of fakes be something that certain governments might actually encourage?

Food for thought.

Edited January 10, 2023 by SidS

[Anteater]

9 minutes ago, SidS said:

I'm stepping into conspiracy territory here. Does anyone think that releasing a ton of fakes onto the market might be a damn good way to undermine stackers/preppers when it comes to bartering their stack during economic hardship or the ever expected zombie apocalypse?

I'm going with Occam's Razor here. Most major governments seem to be improving the security of their bullion (the US's rather unimpressive missing reeds not withstanding) and if they were trying to discourage bullion there would be a lot of other things they could do (not minting it, to begin with). Plus if we're talking apocalypse then I'm not convinced that bullion will be a means of exchange nor that any remaining government would care. (For someone to accept bullion for, say, food, they need to have confidence that they will later be able to exchange that bullion for something else that they want. That doesn't seem likely under apocalyptic conditions.)

And, conversely, given the apparent increase in consumer demand for bullion plus the increase in new buyers that seems to have happened, it would make sense for there to be more fakes created and more effort put into creating them, no conspiracy required.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Anteater