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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1997 5 ounce Mexican Silver Libertad

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Expert: - 1/5/2011


Question
Dmitry,

 I have a 5 ounce silver libertad that I am concerned might be fake and was wondering if you may be able to help me determine if it is or not.  Everything looks correct on the coin based on the pictures I have seen of them but when I weigh it, the coin is 5.5 ounces not 5 as the coin indicates.  Does the excess weight indicate that there is metal other than silver in the coin and, if so, does that mean it may not be real?  Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Tom

Answer
Hi Tom,
Try weighing in grams, it should be 155.5.
I think the issue is the type of ounces. The coin is 5 troy ounces, but a scale that measures in standard/postal ounces will show 5.48. There is nothing wrong with your coin.
Thanks for the question! =)

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Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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