2016-05-24 Tue

Authenticators generally access a coin’s level of detail to determine if they are real or fake using a low-power magnifier. Features of coins that are not genuine are faint or completely absent in most cases. Let’s take a look at the reverse of a Denver Mint Indian Half Eagle.

While comparing the eagle’s tail feathers, the fake coin has a very shallow imprint and some feathers are missing entirely. The eagle’s leg on the counterfeit coin has a wide flat margin surrounding the leg unlike the genuine coin. The largest feathers on the fake coin are broad and flattened in appearance. The vine where it overlaps the arrow is rounded and is three dimensional on the genuine coin.

Differentiation can be made by taking a close look at the minute details of the coin.