While most folks seem to be mad for gold Silver has been steadily growing in worth .
Although Silver has not grown at the same rate as gold it will probably never reach the dizzy heights of gold.
One investor tried to corner the market in silver but was eventually foiled .
Buying coins on the Internet is great fun but what happens when you think you may be have a copy or reproduction?
First thing is to examine the coin carefully.
Is it crisp and shiny ?
What is the condition supposed to be ?
A medieval coin that has been in circulation will definitely show signs of wear on the high points on BOTH sides of the coin.
Same goes for a gold coin of course.
Only Uncirculated coins should be crisp and sharp and shiny (if the coin is worn and without dirt in the lower parts of the coin then it has wether been cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner or it may be a copy).
Fake Silver coins to be wary of include rare dates of silver dollars which may have the dates altered (visible under a magnifier) or ones which have been copied on to a copper base and then silver plated.Forgeries are seldom of common coins.
Older coins are less likely to have been copied but there are always exceptions.
Examine a suspect coin for traces of plaster of paris or resin (often used for making fakes)
These are used to produce an intermediate wax mdel which is covered in plaster of paris and molten metal poured in displacing the wax and replacing it.
If you are suspicious of a coin you have bought on the internet then take it to a local dealer or museum for a second opinion.
Then you should take it up with the vendor and if that is not satisfactory with Paypal
for a refund.
Remember though that a fake silver coin may not be a modern fake and could well have been made in the 19th Century.
Forgery is not a new art and even in the 19th century there were forgeries
US $48.97
Filed under Fake Coins by on Apr 17th, 2010. 
