Fake Mexican Silver Pesos

[newton7]

I did some searching on the site but did not find any photos still posted so I thought I would add this. With that said, if there is something out there on the forum and I missed it, please forgive me.

I was attending a car parts swap meet today when some coins caught my eye. The guy had a pile of Mexican silver pesos in one of his display cases and there was a mix of different ones. The color was of the coins was spot on and I looked closer at them but something was not right. I struck up a conversation with the guy and finally got to the price. I ask how much and he said $3 each or $2.50 if you buy 10 or more. That was finale nail in the coffin so I asked. "Are they real or repops?" The guy stared at me a little and then said, "repops". I asked to handle them and immediately was able to fell the weight difference as I have handled some of the real coins in my collection.

Finally I could not resist so I purchased some for training aids for you guys. I was almost fooled but I thought if not me someone else in the future. The guy stated he sells a lot of them and sometimes 150 to 200 at a time. I was floored that some people out there might be getting them thinking they are real. Buyers beware!

Here is how they look in the package when the seller buys them. I got him to sell it as is. There are 7 types of coins and a repeat of the Chief coin as he stated they are the most popular.



I'm having problems with Photobucket not loading decent size pics so I will just add the links for now. Feel free to copy and share with others to help someone avoid getting ripped off. I spent $16 after talking him down a little as a training aid to show them here so no ones gets fooled as I was almost was fooled to.

Still in the package from the wholesaler to the flea market guy.
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 979a46.jpg

Fake on left front of coin
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... bf67cc.jpg

Fake on left rear
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 7ba3e0.jpg

Real coin on the scale
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 6869af.jpg

Fake coin on the scale
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... aca27a.jpg

General photos of the entire lot including side shot
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 37c769.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 5ef02c.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 61744b.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... da5763.jpg

Side shot with real coin on the far right. Notice that all the edges are rolled like half dollars but the real one is different.
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... fbc5cb.jpg

For the most part they are good looking coins at 3 feet but when you get in close and touch them they are under weight and that was what I picked up on first. Second, in testing they all stick to the magnet so that should be an easy test in the field if you remember to carry one on your coin hunts.

I am also going to add the album link to the Mexican coin topic for future use.
newton7

[currencydebasement]

Thanks for the post. I avoid buying mexican silver unless I am buying in person.

[blackrabbit]

I bought a bunch off e-bay last year, but got my money back through buyer protection. I always magnet test everything I buy.

[BOHICA]

Do they have 'Copy' or 'Repro' stamped on them anywhere?

[newton7]

No "copy" or "repro" on them. All looked really good in the show case as far as color goes but the hand feel is not there. Thats what I picked up on first.

[AGgressive Metal]

When buying Mexican I always stick to the old stuff (1880s-1940s) that is obviously legit in terms of wear, tarnish, etc. OR the contemporary Onzas, their equivalent of the ASE, Philharmonic, or Maple Leaf.

[Mossy]

Agressive, if you read up on the fakes from China, they are "ageing" them before selling them.

[jasmatk]

thanks china thats what we needed more fake coins.

[AGCoinHunter]

Thanks for the info. Very informative.

[Lemon Thrower]

I did some searching on the site but did not find any photos still posted so I thought I would add this. With that said, if there is something out there on the forum and I missed it, please forgive me.

I was attending a car parts swap meet today when some coins caught my eye. The guy had a pile of Mexican silver pesos in one of his display cases and there was a mix of different ones. The color was of the coins was spot on and I looked closer at them but something was not right. I struck up a conversation with the guy and finally got to the price. I ask how much and he said $3 each or $2.50 if you buy 10 or more. That was finale nail in the coffin so I asked. "Are they real or repops?" The guy stared at me a little and then said, "repops". I asked to handle them and immediately was able to fell the weight difference as I have handled some of the real coins in my collection.

Finally I could not resist so I purchased some for training aids for you guys. I was almost fooled but I thought if not me someone else in the future. The guy stated he sells a lot of them and sometimes 150 to 200 at a time. I was floored that some people out there might be getting them thinking they are real. Buyers beware!

Here is how they look in the package when the seller buys them. I got him to sell it as is. There are 7 types of coins and a repeat of the Chief coin as he stated they are the most popular.



I'm having problems with Photobucket not loading decent size pics so I will just add the links for now. Feel free to copy and share with others to help someone avoid getting ripped off. I spent $16 after talking him down a little as a training aid to show them here so no ones gets fooled as I was almost was fooled to.

Still in the package from the wholesaler to the flea market guy.
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 979a46.jpg

Fake on left front of coin
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... bf67cc.jpg

Fake on left rear
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 7ba3e0.jpg

Real coin on the scale
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 6869af.jpg

Fake coin on the scale
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... aca27a.jpg

General photos of the entire lot including side shot
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 37c769.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 5ef02c.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... 61744b.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... da5763.jpg

Side shot with real coin on the far right. Notice that all the edges are rolled like half dollars but the real one is different.
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... fbc5cb.jpg

For the most part they are good looking coins at 3 feet but when you get in close and touch them they are under weight and that was what I picked up on first. Second, in testing they all stick to the magnet so that should be an easy test in the field if you remember to carry one on your coin hunts.

I am also going to add the album link to the Mexican coin topic for future use.
newton7

I bought some decoy $10 indians off ebay from a guy in china that came in the exact same kind of bag. paid 2.50 each.

here is his ebay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/COINS-COPY/_i.ht ... 581&_pgn=1

what i got was supposed to be stamped copy but it isn't. i have been buying replicas in order to have some decoy coins for security purposes. these coins were pretty good except the gold looks more like brass. some others i have ordered have a better gold color but look too new. lesson - if you want to buy replicas to use as decoys, buy later dated bullion coins.