Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 6/13/2010

Question
Hi, I started to collect coins. I'm collecting mostly silver because there cheap and easy. I ran into a coin I seen at a antique shop, it was 550.00 for a dime. I ask to see because I wondered why it was priced so high! It was a 1885s dime, I looked on my redbook and it stated 400.00 for a g4 grade. I wanted because it was rare, still I didn't purchase it because i was afraid it was a fake!! How can I tell if it's real ? A worker there looked at it and said the "s" was double stamped. Did they make double s ? And clues that tell it's fake ? Thank you and have a great day !!

Answer
Here are some thoughts and tips.  There are "grading services" that will verify the authenticity of a coin and stand behind the guaranty.  You need to find a reputable one though to be sure that they are capable.  They will encapsulate the coin and thus you are fairly certain it is indeed genuine.  Many people won't buy a coin for the kind of money you are talking about unless it is so third party graded.  There are things to look for.  Check the date, is the spacing right?  Look carefully at the mint mark.  There are counterfeiting tips in several books.  Go to www.ebay.com and do a search for 1885 S dime and see if any are for sale, and look carefully at them.  Buy from a reputable coin dealer who has been in business for a long time (I don't think an antique dealer would qualify).  I think it is possible the "S" could be double struck, but if there is an issue on the "S" that's where the fake will be.  Hope this helped, Jim Lawniczak