What Now?

[DRI]

I came across a 1901 S Morgan Dollar, gold plated, at an estate sale. There were only a handful of coins there and most everyone was ignoring them. The people in charge of the sale could not vouch for the coins authenticity so I got it for next to nothing. The coin would probably grade as AU and it weighs 25.71 grams, the lettering numbers and details look to be OK and it is not magnetic. But I still question if it is authentic since I can't see the actual surface. How would I go about getting it authenticated. There aren't any coin dealers in the immediate area that I would trust.

[MarkFeld]

Can you post images?

[e1cnr]

The 'gold plated' almost kills any numismatic value.

[DRI]

I've attached pictures, but I had to use the lowest resolution on my camera and the pictures look flat! What is the secret to attaching high resolution pictures on this forum?

[Keigwin]

I don't get it.

 

If it's gold-plated isn't that "end of discussion"? What can you possibly be hoping for?

Lance.

[DRI]

Is it silver? Sell as scrap. Is it authentic? Sell it as a place holder to a beginner. The alternative is toss it in the garbage.

[PerryHall]

A coin like this was probably made to be used in a large western style belt buckle.

[Coindude]

Well, I'll h ave to say that this coin is not AU, it's actually damaged. It has been harshly cleaned and is polished. Worth about $12 in silver, if it's authentic.

[e1cnr]

something is off on this item

 

the area around ear and eagle chest show a coin around VF30 or lower

http://coins.ha.com/itm/morgan-dollars/1901-s-1-vf30-ngc-ngc-census-11-2113-pcgs-population-9-3236-mintage-2-284-000-numismedia-wsl-price-for-problem/a/131308-28423.s?hdnJumpToLot=1x=0&y=0

 

the denticles and edge look much better (wear mismatch)

the date digits look funny to me, but could be the angle

 

I suspect a reproduction

 

If someone selling something says they do not know if it is real, that usually tells me they know it is not

[Kurtdog]

At 25.71 grams, it's a gram under what the book says.

[coinman1794]

I've attached pictures, but I had to use the lowest resolution on my camera and the pictures look flat! What is the secret to attaching high resolution pictures on this forum?

 

The images are a bit blurry, but unfortunately, this seems to be a fake.

[messydesk]

Weight is way low, if your scale is accurate. A 3-4% loss in weight would OK if there were a hole 7 mm in diameter drilled in it.

[bsshog40]

I have to agree that this is probably just a reproduction coin that was plated as a novelty.

[Bob Flaminio]

If it's real -- Spend it! Blow someone's mind. Buy a coffee with it.

[DRI]

Yea, I would think that with even a moderate amount of wear, that with the gold plating it ought to weigh just over 26 g. I suspected a reproduction, but all of the other reproductions I've come across weighed less than 25 grams and I've never seen a reproduction for a 1901 S in any of my research.

 

It will go into the trash. Thanks to all.