The Six Most Commonly Counterfeited US Coins

At Coinfully, our expert numismatists encounter counterfeit coins regularly. The quality of these fakes ranges from shockingly realistic to laughably poor. In most cases, we reject these counterfeits, but occasionally, we send them to a third-party grading service for verification.

If you’ve inherited a coin collection, it’s crucial to know how to spot counterfeits before assuming you have a valuable find. Our inherited coin collection tips can help you navigate the process.

Here are six of the most commonly counterfeited U.S. coins and how to identify them.

1776 Continental Dollars

This widely counterfeited coin is often easy to spot, as many fakes are poorly rendered copies made from base metals and artificially aged.

Genuine Continental Dollars were struck primarily in pewter, giving them a distinctive appearance. While authentic examples are more common than many collectors think, counterfeits frequently surface in groups of foreign coins or inexpensive colonial issues.

If you’re unsure whether your coin is real, consider getting a free coin appraisal online from an expert.

1804 Silver Dollars

Often called the “King of American Coins,” the 1804 Silver Dollar is one of the most counterfeited coins in U.S. history.

Since no new examples have been discovered in over 60 years, the likelihood of finding a genuine 1804 Silver Dollar is almost zero. Many low-quality fakes are available, and Chinese manufacturers even produce replicas on demand.

If someone claims to have an 1804 Silver Dollar, it is almost certainly a reproduction. Be cautious when navigating the coin market, and check out our guide on navigating the coin market to avoid costly mistakes.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cents

This famous 20th-century small cent is frequently counterfeited by adding fake mintmarks. Fraudsters will remove an “S” from another coin and affix it to a 1909-P VDB Cent.

Luckily, genuine examples have specific die markers that experts can use to confirm authenticity. If you’re thinking of selling, ensure your coin is genuine before listing it. Learn more about the difference between a numismatist and a coin collector in our guide on Numismatist vs coin collector.

1943 Lincoln Copper Cents

Whenever a genuine 1943-P Copper Penny sells at auction, it sparks widespread media coverage, leading to an influx of hopeful owners convinced they have a $500,000 penny.

The reality is that most of these are altered coins—steel cents that have been copper-plated or fake copper cents struck with incorrect details.

If you believe you have a rare 1943 Copper Penny, it’s worth getting expert verification before making assumptions. Never attempt cleaning coins before selling, as this can significantly devalue them—learn why in our guide on cleaning coins before selling.

1916-D Mercury Dimes

Counterfeiters often create 1916-D Mercury Dime fakes by adding a false “D” mintmark to a genuine 1916 Philadelphia dime.

Some of these fakes are so well made that they have even fooled experienced collectors. Before buying or selling high-value dimes, ensure they are authenticated by an expert.

If you need an expert opinion, Coinfully offers a free coin appraisal online with zero pressure to sell.

1873-1878 Trade Dollars, Various Dates

There are some very good counterfeit Trade Dollars. Some of them are so good that even experts can’t agree if they are real or not real.

These are almost always dated prior to 1879 and examples which are from the two Western branch mints which struck this type (Carson City and San Francisco) seem to be the best made of these excellent quality fakes.

There is hope for collectors

While counterfeiters have become more advanced over the years, so have the resources and knowledge for counterfeit detection.  For one, expert numismatist are always up to date on the activity in the counterfeiting world and can often spot a fake coin from across a room.  Furthermore, there is a wealth of professional guidance on counterfeit detection for the hobbyist collector, most notable the comprehensive guide to counterfeit coins.

If you’re unsure about a coin in your collection, get peace of mind with a free coin appraisal online.

And if you decide to sell your coins, do so through a trusted platform. Coinfully makes it easy to sell your coins online securely and for the best price.