Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-11-02
COINS THAT ARE BASE
Metals and Methods Used In
Making CounterfeitS.
HOW THEY MAY BE DETECTED
Spurious Coins Cannot Stand the
Three Tests of Weight, Diameter and
Thickness-GoId Pieces That Are
Sweated, Plugged or Filled

Inc most dangerous counterfeits are
struck from a die and are usually imi-
tations of gold coins. Molds Of vari-
Gus kinds are extensively used but
counterfeits so made are inferior to
those made with a die
In counterfeits made from a mold
lettering, milling and reeding are usu.
ally poor and weight defective. The
coins lack the sharp and clear cut APP
pearance of genuine coin. Most coun-
terfeit silver coins in circulation are
made from mOlds, as it is an inexpen-
sive form of counterfeiting Some fair
specimens have been produced in this
way, but usually they are much lighter
than the genuine and if of required
weight differ in diameter or thickness.
Various metals are used by counter
feiters, principally platinum, silver,
copper, brass, anthony, aluminium,
zinc, type metal lead and their nu-
merouS compositions.
Among the most dangerous counter
feits of gold coin are those of COM
position of gold, silver and copper
They are a low grade gold. and the
acid test shows they lack the fineness
Of standard gold used by the United
States mint, which is 900 fine, or q. 10
carats. These counterfeits average
from 400 to 800 fine. Platinum coun-
terfeitS are dangerous, as the metal
used gives required weight, and they
are heavily gold plated. When they
have been in circulation for a time the
plating wears off, especially on the
edges.
The most dangerous counterfeit of
silver coin is made of composition Of
anthony and lead, the former metal
predominating. These counterfeits are
of the dollar, have a fine appearance
are heavily silver plated, with fair
ring, and some are only slightly below
the standard weight.
Some pieces among the smaller coins
are made of brass, struck from a die,
and when heavily plated are fair imi-
tations They lack required weight,
except IN few instances. COunterfeits
Of type metal, lead and other compost
tons are much lighter than genuine
Those having required weight are
much too thick.
Genuine coins of all kinds, for the
sake of gain, are tempered with in va
rious ways. These operaeci64is are con-
fined almost exclusively to gold coins,
which are sWeated, plugged and filled.
Sweating is removing a portion of
the gold from surface of coin. The
process does not interfere with the
ring, and as the portion removed is gen
orally slight the coin Is left with a
very fair appearance, weight only be-
ing defective The principal methods
OF sweating are the acid bath. filing
the edges or reeding, the operator find
ing a profit in the small quantities of
gold removed from numerous pieces.
Tho average reduction in value Of
coins subjected to these processes is
from One-twentieth to one-tenth
Plugging is done by boring holes in
the coin, extracting the gold and filling
the cavity with cheaper material. The
larger coins-dOuble eagles and eagles
twenty and ten dollar pieces)-are
used for this purpose. The small
surface of the plugging material,
where it shows on the edge of the coin,
is covered with gold and the reeding
retouched with a file or machine
The average loss in value to coins
treated IN this way is from one-eighth
to one-siXth. Coins of this kind are
very dangerous, as they are perfect
In appearance, only the edges having
been tempered with.
Filling IS most commonly done by
saving the coin through from the edge
or reeding, removing the interior por-
ton and replacing it with a cheap met
nj. Coins of all denominations from
quarter eagle 10 double eagle are sub
jected to this process. When platinum
is used to replace gold extracted the
coin has same weight as genuine. BY
this process coins lose four-fifths Of
their value, as the original surfaces are
left only Of paper thickness.
When edges have been covered with
gold and reeding restored the coin has
the appearance Of being genuine, hav-
ing correct size and weight and fair
ring. Sometimes the covering of gold
on edges is so thin that filling can be
distinctly seen. When other and less
costly filing than platinum Is used
coins are of light weight and have a
bad ring. If of correct weight they
are too thick
Another method of filling Is saving
the coin partly in two, from edge OF
Peedlng, on one side, leaving a thin
and thick portion. The thin side of
the coin is turned back and the gold
extracted from center Of thicker por-
Ion. The cavity is filed with base
metal and sides pressed back into orig
inal position and soldered or brazed
together. 1t Is difficult to give aver
age loss to coins treated in this man
ner, as hardly any two seen have the
same amount of gold taken from them.
For detecting counterfeit coin COM