Counterfeit Diagnostics & Resources
Expert tools and references for detecting, verifying, and reporting counterfeit coins.
Fakes are everywhere in this hobby, and the people who sell them are counting on you not to look too closely. This page arms you with real counterfeit detection checks for the coins most often faked — the diagnostics professionals use to tell a genuine coin from a clever forgery. Weight, edge, strike, sound, magnetic response — we walk you through each test and what it tells you. We want you to collect with confidence and never be the one fooled at a table or an auction. Protect your money and your collection with the same information the experts rely on.
Excluded Counterfeit Die Pairings
Fivaz-Stanton (FS) die varieties that PCGS has excluded after determining they originate from counterfeit dies, not genuine mint production.
| Series | FS Number | Date/Mint | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Dollar | FS-003 | 1902-O | Excluded by PCGS — determined to be a counterfeit die pairing, not a genuine mint variety. |
| Morgan Dollar | FS-004 | 1896-O | Excluded by PCGS — determined to be a counterfeit die pairing, not a genuine mint variety. |
| Morgan Dollar | FS-005 | 1900-O | Excluded by PCGS — determined to be a counterfeit die pairing, not a genuine mint variety. |