Help confirming a real vs. counterfeit 1804 Draped Bust Dollar Coin

Hello All:

I am new to this board. I discovered CoinTalk recently while cataloging several coins my I inherited. This site helped me identify several different coins and I am hoping you will be able to help me with this. A photo of the coin is included. Essentially, I need help with how to prove what I have is authentic versus a counterfeit or copy. Any and all help is appreciated. While I can post additional photos, I am looking for any "telltale signs" that would prove it is a copy.

Thanks In Advance,

Sam

 

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It's not real not even close is way too crude looks like an old counterfeit

 

Let's see the back. Can you weigh it? If it's a half you're looking at at least $300+ depending on condition. I'm on my phone and I have bad eyes :-/

 

Even on my phone the hair detail is totally wrong

 

I don't think it's an altered date try a magnet on it too silver is not magnetic feel to me to be a old counterfeit probably from the late 19th or early 20 th c

 

Position and angle of the bust is wrong head incorrectly aligned with liberty her bust is too big and too far forward too these plus the hair detail are the things that immediately jump out at me

 

Thank you for your replies.
First, the coin in question, as well as the second provided in the photo below, are from a substantial collection. I took the magnet suggestion with the humor it deserved. However, considering the source of (my) collection, I am not so quick to discount the authenticity when I consider the other coins that came with it. Obviously, no one is privy to the info I have, so no offense taken.
Nevertheless, I included two other photos of the 1803 version of the same coin. I know that the 1804 coin was not minted in that year - I was using this version, however, as a model against which I compared the coin in question-as well as photos on other web sites. So, with the additional (hopefully better quality) photos, and another coin to compare against - your thoughts are appreciated. As a reminder, I am looking for the telltale sign proving its authentic OR a copy.
At the very least, I may go to bed holding tight to the dream that I have won the proverbial lottery for a few hours longer.

Thanks Again!

S

 

BTW - I will not be able to weigh it until the morning. I too was curious about the weight. Unfortunately, I do not own a functioning scale capable of determining the weight of the coin. I will post the weight (in grams???) tomorrow midmorning if this is still in question.

Regards,

S

 

Aside from the fact that there are only 8 originals and 6 restrikes of the 1804 dollar, and as far as I know they are all accounted for, your coin appears to have a reeded edge. Should be lettered.

 

Reeded edge? Sorry, I am not familiar with the terminology. I do understand that the odds are astronomically against me having a true 1804 dollar - yet I need to prove beyond a reason of a doubt that this coin is a phony - so I will let the member of this MB destroy my dream - fact by fact. For tonight, though, I will go to bed an extremely wealthy man. I will check in tomorrow.

 

The edge of the coin appears to have reeding. Like a modern coin. Quarter, Half dollar or dime. As opposed to an edge with lettering on it, or plain.

 

Good call I didn't catch that from the pics reeded edges (like on a modern quarter) didn't come about til the mid 1830s I'm looking at a genuine 1800 dollar right now and the edge is lettered one dollar or unit hundred cents along with stars and other devices also the original 1804 dollars were proof strikes and yours shows none of the precision and crispness of a presentation or proof strike hard to tell from the pics but the 1803 looks like it might be ok

 

Thanx, I do not have any reason to doubt the 1803 coin, but if you will have patience with my lack of knowledge/insight: What are the obvious signs of my newly acquired 1804 coin that confirms that it is a copy? Would a photo of the edge help your determination? If so...I will post in AM.

Thanks to all!

S

 

Shows what I know about early halfs :-/ just comparing it with the others I've seen in eBay. Never been in the market to buy one so I didn't know the 1804 was uber rare!

The members above obviously know more than I do but the weight should be a good way to determine if it's real or not. Most of the fakes are way off in weight.

 

100% chance it is a copy

 

I agree. Only 6 known with the second reverse.

 

Thanks All. While I agree with you that the odds are it is a copy because it is rare, I am not yet prepared to melt it down. What characteristic about this particular coin proves that it is a copy?

Thanks,

S

 

Good morning all. I have attacked a pic of the coin's edge. By the posts above, I take it that the reed is a coin's "non-smooth" edge. Meaning that my coin has an edge similar to modern day coinage. Anyway, here's the photo...So, does it look like my newly found wealth was short lived, or is there still a chance?

 

That is a picture of a reeded edge. Totally wrong for that series of coin.