Is Your Morgan Silver Dollar Real? Expert Authentication Guide

Authentication Guide for Morgan Silver Dollars

As Morgan Silver Dollars soar in popularity, counterfeiters have followed suit – making authentication skills essential for every collector. These beauties, especially in sought-after mint condition like MS 62, deserve careful scrutiny. This guide will share the diagnostic secrets experts use to confirm your Morgan’s authenticity.

Historical Significance and Collectibility

Struck from 1878 to 1904 with a curtain call in 1921, the Morgan Dollar isn’t just silver – it’s American history in your hand. Minted across five facilities (Philadelphia’s plain, New Orleans’ “O,” San Francisco’s “S,” Carson City’s legendary “CC,” and Denver’s 1921 “D”), its 90% silver composition fuels both numismatic value and counterfeit attempts. That distinctive luster and heft? That’s what makes collectors’ hearts race.

Weight and Dimensions: Your First Defense

Always start with the scales! A genuine Morgan tips them at precisely 26.73 grams (±0.13g tolerance). Why such precision? Fakes often use cheaper metals that can’t match silver’s density.

Grab a precision scale (accurate to 0.01g) and place your coin gently. More than 0.2 grams underweight? Alarm bells should ring. Surprisingly, overweight coins raise suspicion too – heavier base metals sometimes lurk beneath.

Now measure: 38.1mm diameter and 2.4mm edge thickness separate the real McCoys. Counterfeiters struggle to hit these marks consistently, so trust your calipers.

The Magnet Test: Silver’s Telltale Rebuff

Here’s a thrilling trick: Silver scoffs at magnets! Hold a neodymium magnet near your Morgan’s surface. No movement? Breathe easier. Pulled toward the magnet? You’ve likely caught an impostor.

Remember, though: Some sophisticated fakes pass this test only to fail others. Combine methods for certainty.

Die Markers: The Devil’s in the Details

Authentic Morgans boast distinctive features forged by original dies – the subtle fingerprints of genuineness. Examine these areas under good light:

• Breast feathers on the eagle: Seek crisp separation with delicate relief
• Liberty’s hair above the ear: Distinct strands showing skilled strike
• Reverse cotton bolls: Sharp definition, each boll visible
• “IN GOD WE TRUST”: Consistent depth and spacing throughout

Fakes often show mushy details here. Scrutinize Liberty’s profile and eagle’s wings – their fine artistry trips up counterfeiters.

Spotting Fakes: Know Your Enemy

Understanding counterfeit types gives you an edge:

Cast Counterfeits

Molded from real coins, these usually betray themselves through:

• Pitted surfaces like orange peel
• Blurry details that lack sharpness
• Weight discrepancies
• Magnetic response (silver never sticks!)

Struck Counterfeits

Trickier adversaries showing subtle flaws:

• Design elements slightly “off” versus genuine specimens
• Mint marks placed incorrectly
• Irregular edge reeding
• Surface texture mismatches

Altered Dates and Mint Marks

Common coins dressed as rare varieties:

• Changed dates (1893-S altered to 1898-S)
• Added “CC” mint marks for Carson City premium
• “Micro O” varieties fabricated via mint mark tampering

Advanced Authentication Techniques

For prized specimens, these methods add security:

Specific Gravity Test

Measure density by weighing your coin in air versus water. Silver’s 10.49 specific gravity is tough to fake – even plated counterfeits falter here.

Professional Grading Services

NGC and PCGS experts authenticate using comparative databases and multiple tests. For rare varieties or mint-state gems, their encapsulation offers peace of mind worth every penny.

Microscopic Clues

Under magnification, authentic Morgans reveal

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