How to Spot Counterfeit Morgan Dollars?
Posted by Andrew Adamo on Apr 16th 2025
How to Spot Counterfeit Morgan Dollars
Collector interest in Morgan Dollars remains strong in 2025, it's important to remember that counterfeiters often target this series. In this article we will cover how to spot counterfeit morgan dollars with the expert insights from NGC, one of the leading coin certification companies.
As an NGC Authorized Dealer, Bullion Shark relies on the expertise of NGC—one of the most trusted names in coin grading and authentication—to help our customers make informed decisions. To date, NGC has certified more than 4 million Morgan Dollars, and in the process, its expert grading team has encountered countless fakes. The following examples illustrate just how elaborate some of these counterfeits can be.
Altered Date: 1893-S Morgan Dollar
NGC has compiled a list of the Top Most Commonly Counterfeited U.S. Coins, and the first Morgan Dollar to appear in the top 10 counterfeited coins is the 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar. This key date is a frequent target for counterfeiters, who often attempt to pass off a more common Philadelphia Mint coin (which lacks a mintmark) by adding a fake 'S'.
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| An altered date 1893-S Morgan Dollar. Image source: NGC |
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| Detail of the date of an authentic 1893-S Morgan Dollar (left) and the altered example (right). Image source: NGC |
Joined Halves: 1889-CC Morgan Dollar
Another Morgan Silver Dollar featured on NGC’s “Top 50 Most Commonly Counterfeited U.S. Coins” list is the 1889-CC, a key date that attracts plenty of attention from counterfeiters. Like the 1893-S, many fake 1889-CCs are produced by attaching a 'CC' mintmark to the proper spot on the reverse of a genuine Philadelphia Mint coin.
But in the example shown here, the counterfeiter took a more ambitious route: combining the obverse of an authentic 1889 Philadelphia Morgan with the reverse of a Carson City Morgan, likely from 1883 or 1884. A closer inspection reveals a telltale seam around the edge—exposing the coin as a cleverly disguised forgery.
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| 1889-CC Morgan Dollar with joined halves Image source: NGC |
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| A seam can be seen on the rim of the reverse Image source: NGC |
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Added mintmark: 1886-S Morgan Dollar
Counterfeiters don’t always go after the most valuable key dates like the 1889-CC or 1893-S morgan dollars. Sometimes, even lower-value coins are targeted. In this case, the forger attempted to pass off a common 1886 Philadelphia Morgan as the scarcer 1886-S, worth only a few hundred dollars—by adding a fake mintmark.
While many fakes involve simply gluing a mintmark onto the coin (often leaving behind discoloration), this counterfeiter went a step further. They drilled into the edge of the coin and attempted to emboss a new mintmark from the inside out—a surprisingly elaborate effort for such a modest payoff.
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| 1886 Morgan Dollar with an added “S” mintmark Image source: NGC |
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| A small gray area can be seen on the reeding on the part of the edge closest to the mintmark. Image source: NGC |
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Possible laser created dies: 1894-O Morgan Dollar
Forgers are increasingly using advanced technology, like laser-engraved dies, to carry out their deceptive work. That appears to be the case with this particular counterfeit. While counterfeit dies often produce weak details due to insufficient striking pressure, this example tells a different story.
Here, the details in Liberty’s hair and ear are unusually sharp—far exceeding the strike quality typically seen from the New Orleans Mint. This overdefined detail is a red flag, suggesting the coin was produced using modern techniques rather than genuine 19th-century minting methods.
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| Counterfeit 1894-O Morgan Dollar Image source: NGC |
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| Close-ups of the counterfeit (left) and genuine (right) 1894-O Morgan Dollars Image source: NGC |
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A fake error: 1884-O Morgan Dollar
Sometimes, counterfeiters add artificial toning or other visual distractions to divert attention from flaws that would otherwise expose a fake. In this case, the forger attempted to replicate an off-center strike error, a dramatic mint mistake that can greatly increase a genuine coin’s value.
However, this counterfeit raises several red flags, including one major giveaway: the unusual shape of Liberty’s eye, which doesn’t match the authentic design. Despite the attempt to impress with a striking “error,” the details just don’t hold up under closer inspection.
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| This counterfeit Morgan dollar error features rounded high points, dark areas and an eye that differes from a genuine specimen. Image source: NGC |
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| Note the eye shape of a genuine Morgan dollar (left) versus the counterfeit (right). Image source: NGC |
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Fake GSA Holder: 1879-CC Morgan Dollar
Here’s a particularly bold and inventive counterfeit. In this case, the forger didn’t just fake a Morgan Dollar—they went a step further and fabricated a counterfeit GSA holder to display it. These holders, recognizable by their distinctive black cores, were originally used for coins from the GSA Hoard released in the 1970s.
When compared side by side with a genuine GSA holder certified by NGC, the fake reveals several design inconsistencies that expose the deception. It’s a reminder that even the packaging can be part of the scam.
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| A fake 1879 Morgan Dollar (left) and a genuine example (right) Image source: NGC |
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*This information is for educational purposes only. Bullion Shark is not responsible for any factual errors that may be contained in this post. This information is not intended for investment purposes. Please consult an investment advisor before investing.
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