7 Ways To Test If A Silver Coin Is Real

Above, an ad advertising Canadian Maple Leaf coins that turned out to be fake.

A few years ago, two friends and I bought some purported silver coins through an ad in Facebook. The price of each coin was hard to believe. The old saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" rang true.

When I received the coins, I noticed that they looked different from the silver coins I already had. Then, I tried the "magnet test" on them. Silver does not react to magnets, but the coins I bought did. That's how I knew that they were counterfeit. These originated from China.

Above, my magnet test of a fake Morgan dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

MSN has posted an article on how to test if a silver coin is real.

It begins with:

Whether you’ve inherited an old collection, found coins at a flea market, or are starting to invest in precious metals, knowing how to identify genuine silver is essential. Counterfeit silver coins are increasingly sophisticated, but there are reliable ways to spot fakes without damaging your coins. Here’s a detailed guide on how to tell if your silver coin is real.

To read more, go here. 

Silver: XAG/USD Trades Firmly Above $47

Above, an 1883-O Morgan dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver is going gangbusters this week. It is nearing the fifty-dollar mark in spot price. 

It is currently at $47.505/toz at COMEX.

According to FXStreet:

Silver price (XAG/USD) holds onto gains near the all-time high around $47.80 during the Asian trading session on Thursday. The white metal posted a fresh all-time high on Wednesday as funding to the United States (US) government stopped after the short-term funding bill failed to achieve a majority in the House of Senate on Tuesday.

The US government shutdown has increased the appeal of safe-haven assets, such as Silver.

US Vice President (VP) JD Vance has warned that the White House would need to resort to lay-offs if the shutdown remains for more than a few days, Reuters reported.

To read more, go here. 

Money Metals Launches Extensive Line of Gold and Silver Bullion Products

Above, an 1890 uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent years, I have bought several coins from Money Metals Exchange, a top leader in coin investing.

They have introduced a new lineup of gold and silver products. This new lineup has garnered a lot of attention as several news outlets have posted articles.

One was from Fox8 WGHP:

EAGLE, ID / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Money Metals Exchange, a national leader in precious metals investing and sound money advocacy, is proud to announce the launch of its exclusive line of Money Metals gold and silver bullion products.

This new lineup provides investors and collectors with an affordable option to acquire physical precious metals like gold and silver, increasing their holdings with greater variety, flexibility, and style.

Whether you are a seasoned collector or investor in precious metals, or just getting started, the Money Metals branded line offers a cost-effective option for everyone. These exclusive products are designed not only to store value securely, but also to lower the costs and barriers to entry traditionally associated with buying gold and silver.

An added benefit of investing in Money Metals branded gold bullion and silver bullion products is that there is a lower premium, which is the cost above the gold spot price or silver spot price that companies charge to do business.

To read more, go here. 

Kiyosaki: Silver "Hottest" Investment In 2025

Above, JFK 1964 silver half dollars and Morgan silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

SILVER set to boom. Hottest investment today is silver. Much more demand than supply.

Gold just passed its all time high of $3115 an ounce.

Silver still 60% below its all high…today only $34 an ounce.

I predict silver will 2X this year to at least $70 an ounce.

I already…

— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) April 1, 2025

Make Your Counterfeit Coins Legal To Own

Above, counterfeit Morgan and Silver Eagle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Did you know that counterfeit coins are illegal to possess, buy or sell?

According to ACEF, they are:

According to federal law, counterfeit coins are illegal to possess, buy or sell. Hence, once a victim becomes aware that a coin is counterfeit, he/she should turn it over to the nearest Secret Service agent or local law-enforcement official. Often that is impractical because of distance or law enforcement being reluctant to spend time to recover one or two counterfeit items, especially fake coins.

When I bought some counterfeit silver coins a few years ago through an ad in Facebook, I thought they looked wrong and tested them with a magnet. They stuck to the magnet. Silver is not magnetic. It turned out that they originated from China.

I notified the local sheriff and gave the coins to them as I was aware that they are illegal to possess. Thankfully, I got my money back when I notified my bank of the fraud.

However, one can possess counterfeit coins and ACEF tells you how to do so.

By the way, according to ACEF, the Morgan Dollar is the most counterfeited coin:

The Morgan silver dollar is the most frequently counterfeited U.S. coin, according to coin dealers responding to a survey conducted by the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force in June 2018.

To find out how you can legally own counterfeit coins, go here.

Rare and Collectible Coins: An Alternative Investment Trend?

Above, an 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar (BU). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rare coin collecting is seen as a hedge against inflation and as investments. 

According to an article in  Fox4KC:

HARWICH PORT, MA, UNITED STATES, March 5, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- In an era where investors seek stability and long-term value, rare and collectible coins are gaining traction as a compelling alternative investment. Traditionally viewed as a niche market for numismatists, the coin-collecting industry has now attracted mainstream investors looking for tangible assets with the potential for appreciation. But what is driving this renewed interest in rare coins, and should investors consider them as part of a diversified portfolio? Let’s explore the key factors fueling this trend.

The Growing Appeal of Rare Coins as Investments

Historically, rare coins have been collected for their historical significance, artistry, and intrinsic value. However, their role as an investment asset has grown significantly in recent years, particularly due to economic uncertainty and inflation concerns. Unlike stocks or cryptocurrencies, rare coins are tangible assets with a finite supply, making them an attractive hedge against economic downturns.

According to the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), the global rare coin market is valued at over $10 billion annually, and demand continues to grow. The Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index also reported a 175% increase in the value of rare coins over the past decade, outpacing many traditional asset classes, including real estate and fine art.

To read more, go here. 

Half of Retail Traders Expect Silver To Trade Above $40/oz In 2025

Above, Morgan and Peace silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those of us who are investors of silver, 2024 has been a good year. 

Currently, silver's COMEX spot price is at $30/toz. This is much better than when 2024 began when silver's spot price was at $23.639/toz.

What will happen in 2025? Some traders speculate we may see a silver spot price of $40/toz.

In any case, Kitco News took a look at silver's performance over the past year and what can be (possibly) expected next year.

Here's a snippet:

By late August, spot silver was once again testing resistance at $30 per ounce, and after an early September pullback saw the gray metal dip below $28, this was followed by a strong rally that saw spot silver break decisively above $30 per ounce on September 12. 

The $30 level was now acting as support for the gray metal, which quickly moved up to $32 by September 23, and after retesting support just above $30 per ounce on October 8, spot silver set what proved to be the annual high of $35 per ounce on October 21. After a brief dip down to the $33.600 range, the spot price once again rose back above $34 per ounce, topping out at $34.442 on October 28th, the last time silver would see trade above $34.   

84 retail traders, fully 48%, expect silver to trade above $40 per ounce next year, with $48 the all-time high set in March 2011.

To read the full article, go here. 

Is Silver A Good Investment?

Above, 1964 Kennedy half dollars and Morgan dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver is currently on a high as it is hovering around $31/toz. 

But, historically, silver spot price is volatile and could drop in price. There are many factors that cause its volitivity as it is both a precious metal and used industrially.

MSN asks, Is silver a good investment? 

They begin their article with:

Some consider silver a reliable hedge against inflation, a safe haven during economic uncertainty, and an asset with growth potential. Globally, 2023’s mine production of silver was estimated to be around 26,000 metric tons. That same year, however, silverware demand fell by 25% to 55.2 Moz, and silver jewelry fabrication experienced a 13% drop, with losses mainly in India who’d seen an apex of silver demand the previous year. For those looking to diversify their investment portfolio, the question stands: is silver a good investment?

While silver shares many qualities with gold as a precious metal, its volatility, industrial demand, and price fluctuations make it a unique investment. To understand whether silver is a good investment in 2024, it’s essential to consider market trends, economic conditions, and the factors driving silver’s price.

To read more, go here.

Silver Could Outperform Gold In 2025

Above, a 1889 Morgan dollar graded BU. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2025 could be an interesting year for precious metals collectors and investors. 

Silver could outperform gold next year, possibly reaching $40/toz. But that depends if there is a recession during the second quarter.

According to Kitco News:

(Kitco News) – While a likely U.S. recession in Q2 would impact industrial demand for silver, most of the gray metal’s recent strengths are expected to carry over into the new year, and the price of silver is projected to outperform gold in 2025, according to analysts at Heraeus Precious Metals.

In their Precious Forecast 2025, the analysts said that if market conditions unfold as expected, they believe silver will outgain gold once again in 2025.

“This year, the silver price has seen the largest percentage gains across the precious metals (+26.82% to the end of November),” they noted. “The beginning of the next phase of the global interest rate cycle earlier in the year has helped both gold and silver. Meanwhile, relentless growth in solar photovoltaic demand and a strong rebound in implied demand from India have also supported the price on the physical side.”

The analysts pointed out that the elevated gold:silver ratio suggests that silver is still historically undervalued relative to gold despite this year’s sector-leading rally. “Silver tends to outperform gold in the later stages of bull markets, and a reversion to the 27-year mean ratio of 67 as a result of a rally in silver implies a price of $40/oz,” they said.

To read more, go here. 

Silver's Potential Breakout

Above, a 1921 Morgan dollar (graded AU). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The current COMEX spot price for silver is at $32.705. Earlier today, it did briefly breach over $33/toz.

On Monday, it did breach $32/toz for ten hours, the highest level since the November elections.

This like silver is finally getting its due on the spot price market. I'm glad I bought a lot of silver coins while the spot price was in the $20 range.

According to Kitco News:

(Kitco News) – Spot silver gained 4.6% in 10 hours on Monday to top out at $32.268 per ounce, its highest level since precious metals sold off following the U.S. election in early November. According to Eran Tal in the Jerusalem Post, the gray metal is being supported by bullish technical patterns, declining SLV short sales, and rising industrial demand, and a break above key resistance levels could trigger a powerful rally.

Tal said silver’s break back above $32 shows renewed optimism for the precious metal.

“While this surge has drawn fresh attention, it aligns with a broader trend of emerging bullish signals that could pave the way for further price gains,” Tal wrote. “Investor sentiment toward silver has been notably pessimistic in recent months. Ironically, this negative sentiment is proving to be a reason for optimism, as contrarian market dynamics often see silver bounce back during such times.”

He said that several technical and market-based indicators suggest silver may be on the verge of breaking out of its recent period of consolidation.

To read more, go here. 

 

USA Today: Silver Is Up 20.38% This Year

Above, 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar BU. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those of us who have included silver in their investment portfolios, the metal is doing quite well this year.

According to USA Today (posted yesterday):

The price of silver opened at $28.80 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 0.86% from the previous day and up 20.38% year to date.

The lowest trading price within the last day: $28.75 per ounce. The highest silver spot price in the last 24 hours: $29.43 per ounce.

To read more, go here. 

Numismatic News: Holding History In Your Hands

Above, the Lawrence and Smith Saloon on Main Street in Boise, Idaho,
circa 1890. How many Morgan silver dollars are in each gent's pockets?

Whenever I get some Morgan silver dollars (minted 1878 - 1904, 1921), I often think about where each coin has been and who held it, particularly when I see late 19th Century photos of western towns and people. When I see photos of men in saloons, one has to wonder how many Morgan silver dollars are in their pockets or in the saloon keeper's cash box.

Numismatic News has posted an article on how coin collecting is "holding history in your hands."

They begin it with:

A fun part of numismatics is holding a coin or note in your hands and being able to dream about who might have touched it at one time. That is not something you can experience by looking at pictures in books or online.

An even better part of being able to hold history in your own hands is that you don’t necessarily have to put out funds to own it. I have had the privilege of holding in my hands multiple coins that have sold or are insured for more than a million dollars, including the 1787 Brasher doubloon with “EB” stamped on the eagle’s breast, an 1804 Bust dollar and the unique 1844-O proof $10 Liberty. Some of these coins are so notorious you can view pictures of them in reference catalogs. I also now own some distinctive West African Kissi pennies that my father received in change when he worked in Liberia in the 1960s (as I wrote last year).

To read the full article, go here.

Morgan Dollar (1878-1921) : A Collector’s Guide

For those who follow this blog, they are aware that my favorite coin to collect is the Morgan silver dollar. This began when I inherited several Morgan dollars from the Carson City Mint.

CoinWeek has posted an interesting article on the history of the Morgan silver dollar. Morgans were minted from 1878 to 1921 (with a break of a few years in-between). 

Here's some snippets:

Though it might seem to be a modern phenomenon, the problem of dollar coins that don’t circulate has a long history. For the large silver dollars of America’s past, the metal value of these coins often lead to them being melted as bullion rather than being spent as money in everyday commerce.

The first Morgans were produced in 1878. As per the law, millions of silver dollars were minted each year, even though the coin did not circulate widely due to the fact that paper dollars were more convenient. This wasn’t the case everywhere, however; in the American West, silver dollars proved more versatile. Still, the mandated quantities produced each year far outpaced demand and most Morgan dollars were struck, dumped into bags, and put into longterm storage in Treasury vaults.

In 1921, even though millions of the coins could still be found in government vaults, nearly 87 million new Morgan dollars were minted as a stopgap before the legally mandated Peace dollar design could be produced. But the storage of silver dollars was about to end.

A massive run on silver in the 1960s saw the era of face value silver dollars come to a close. The Treasury held back a few million dollar coins that were marked as having been struck at the defunct Carson City Mint and developed a plan to auction them off to the general public through the General Services Administration.

It was this dwindling of the government’s stockpile followed with the public sale of “the coins that Jesse James never got” that ignited a modern collector market for Morgan dollars.

To read the full article, go here. 

MSN: Morgan Silver Dollars That Can Break The Bank

Above, an 1883-O Morgan dollar graded AU. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Morgan silver dollar is my favorite coin to collect.

This started when I inherited several Morgan dollars that were minted at the Carson City mint. I sold them at a good profit (at the time) on eBay. I now regret doing so as those Carson City Morgan dollars have skyrocketed in value. Ah, well. Live and learn.

Since then, I have bought more Morgans. Those, I am definitely keeping.

MSN.com has posted an article on Morgan silver dollars that are the most valuable to collect. Most are way out of my reach price-wise.

The article begins with: 

Morgan silver dollars were 90 percent silver, one-dollar coins minted between 1878 and 1904, with a special one-off production in 1921 — but their history goes back a bit further.

The Comstock Lode, a massive silver discovery in 1859, flooded the U.S. market with silver and caused the value of silver coins to drop. As a result, in 1873, the Coinage Act stopped the production of silver coins in the United States. Eventually, the silver supply dropped, and the U.S. government passed the Bland-Allison Act to reinstate a silver coin in 1878 and appointed the task to U.S. Mint Director Henry Linderman.

Linderman held a competition for the design of a new silver dollar, which was won by English engraver, George Morgan. Morgan used his fiancee, schoolteacher Anna Williams, as the model for the head of Liberty on one side of the coin. The reverse shows an American eagle holding a clutch of arrows, with the words “United States One Dollar.” The new coins were called Morgan silver dollars after their designer. 

The History of the Production of Morgan Dollars

Before we can talk about the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, we wanted to give you a bit more insight into the production of these coins. They were made in five different U.S. Treasury locations, and each mint had its own special letter designation stamped on the coins. These locations were Carson City (“CC”), New Orleans (“O”), San Francisco (“S”), Denver (“D”) and Philadelphia (no mark).

To read more, go here. 

By the way, silver is back up over $22.00/toz. The current COMEX spot price for silver is $22.275/toz.

Some Kennedy Half-Dollars Are Worth a Lot of Money

Above, 1964 Kennedy half dollars and Morgan silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I had a strongbox opened at a Gallup locksmith's, I found a treasure trove of coins and jewelry. I also found some junk, too. The strongbox hadn't been opened for over 22 years and I had no idea what was in it. It belonged to my dad and it just sat in the closet. 

Items inside included about 20 1964 Kennedy half dollars, some were in uncirculated condition. These contain 90% silver.

Why I bring this up is that MSN posted an article on the Kennedy half dollar, stating some are worth a lot of money. They particularly focus on the 1970 Kennedy half dollar in uncirculated condition. 

The article begins with:

A commemorative coin minted by the United States government, the Kennedy half-dollar is a piece of American history. Part of its allure is that it's everywhere. You can find Kennedy half-dollars worth $5 or $10 in circulation. And you can find Kennedy half-dollars worth much more if you find one with a better-than-average strike.

The Kennedy half-dollar was first minted in 1964, to memorialize President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. The obverse of the coin features a profile portrait of President Kennedy, while the reverse features the presidential seal. It was printed until 2004 and remains in active circulation.

Here's everything you need to know about the Kennedy half-dollar. 

To read the full article, go here. 

Kitco News: Solid Gains For Gold and Silver

Above, Morgan and Peace silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some reports of the near 4% rise in silver's spot price yesterday said that it pulled up gold's price. It sounded as if silver acted like "coattails" for gold.

Silver is still over $24/toz today, although it settled down a bit. We'll see how things go as the trading day progresses.

According to Kitco News, the surge in silver was attributed to:

(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are solidly up in midday U.S. trading Wednesday, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar index and a dip in U.S. Treasury yields at mid-week. More short covering by the futures traders and perceived bargain hunting are featured in the two precious metals. The technical posture for silver has significantly improved this week, which is inviting chart-based speculators to the long side of that market. December gold was last up $20.60 at $1,946.60 and September silver was up $0.91 at $24.36.

(Note: For exclusive market forecasts and intermarket insights, sign up to my new weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at  https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html )

Traders and investors are anxiously awaiting the Kansas City Federal Reserve’s annual symposium held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late this week. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde are set to give speeches. The speeches are expected to provide insights into the future monetary policy direction of their respective central banks. The ECB is expected to pause its recent tightening cycle at its September meeting, while U.S interest rates are expected by most to remain elevated for an extended period due to still-significant upward inflationary pressures. The marketplace will be listening closely for a potential shift in the Fed’s inflation goal. An upward revision to the Fed’s present target of around 2% annual inflation could have major implications for the U.S. bond market, particularly longer-dated U.S. Treasuries, likely increasing Treasury yields which are already at the highest levels since 2007.

To read more, go here. 

Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollars

Above, a special one-off 1921 Morgan silver dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I inherited some Morgan silver dollars from the Carson City Mint, they have become my favorite coins to collect. 

Since then, I buy Morgans whenever I spot a good deal, too good to pass up.

MSN has posted an article on the most valuable Morgan silver dollars. Before they get into those, they provide a history of the Morgans.

They start with:

Morgan silver dollars were 90 percent silver, one-dollar coins minted between 1878 and 1904, with a special one-off production in 1921 — but their history goes back a bit further.

The Comstock Lode, a massive silver discovery in 1859, flooded the U.S. market with silver and caused the value of silver coins to drop. As a result, in 1873, the Coinage Act stopped the production of silver coins in the United States. Eventually, the silver supply dropped, and the U.S. government passed the Bland-Allison Act to reinstate a silver coin in 1878 and appointed the task to U.S. Mint Director Henry Linderman.

Linderman held a competition for the design of a new silver dollar, which was won by English engraver, George Morgan. Morgan used his fiancee, schoolteacher Anna Williams, as the model for the head of Liberty on one side of the coin. The reverse shows an American eagle holding a clutch of arrows, with the words “United States One Dollar.” The new coins were called Morgan silver dollars after their designer.

The History of the Production of Morgan Dollars

Before we can talk about the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, we wanted to give you a bit more insight into the production of these coins. They were made in five different U.S. Treasury locations, and each mint had its own special letter designation stamped on the coins. These locations were Carson City (“CC”), New Orleans (“O”), San Francisco (“S”), Denver (“D”) and Philadelphia (no mark).

Although Morgan silver dollars are still legal tender in the U.S., they are worth far more than just $1 to coin collectors. Today, Morgans range considerably in value. Their price depends on several factors, including the number of coins minted in a specific year, the city where they were made and the coin’s current condition, with uncirculated coins being more rare and valuable.

So which ones are worth the most valuable collectibles? These are some of the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, according to USA Coin Book and Coin HelpU.

To see which are the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, go here. 

5 Tips For Starting A Silver Coin Collection

Above, silver 1964 Kennedy half and Morgan dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My dad and I had collected coins since the early 1960s.

I vividly remember when the U.S. Mint ceased producing coins of silver (with few exceptions) in 1965. That kind of dampened our appetites of coin collecting, although we did save whatever pre-1965 silver coins we found in our pocket change. 

If one is considering starting silver coin collection, ZOBUZ has five tips on doing so.

They begin with:

Coin collecting has always been popular among adults and children alike. Over the last few years, however, collecting coins has become increasingly sought after.

Whether you wish to begin a coin collection for fun, for profit, or a combination of both, it’s important to know where to start! Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place to begin your coin collection journey right here.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know before you start a silver coin collection.

To read more, go here. 

Numismatic News: Base Metal Coins Stay Hot

Above, Morgan silver dollars continue to sell well. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The spot price on COMEX dropped yesterday after reaching over $25.00/toz the day before. The current price (at this writing) is $24.44/toz.

However, base metal coins are staying hot according to Numismatic News.

They wrote:

The value of many collectible yet generally available, intrinsic value impacted, or bullion coins remains strong as the spot price of gold, silver and platinum remain in a tight trading range. A weakened U.S. dollar on world markets is the main reason the metals remain in their current range, but with economic uncertainties and inflationary pressures remaining ahead, it is likely this scenario will continue for some time.

The demand for coins comprised of these metals ensures most such coins will sell for a reasonable markup above the spot price of their precious metal content. Since the metals have not declined significantly from their recent highs despite the challenge from a bullish equities market, many investors as well as collectors continue to buy and hold rather than to sell. My comments aren’t meant to oversell such coins within the market for collector or investment grade coins.

To read more, go here. 

Guide To Investing In Morgan Silver Dollars

Above, an 1883-O Morgan silver dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I had some Carson City uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollars, they have become my favorite silver coin to collect.

I have bought many of them over the ensuing years.

United States Gold Bureau has posted an article on everything one needs to know about investing in Morgan Silver dollars.

They begin it with:

Think dusty, pistol-toting cowboys that drink glasses of honey-colored whiskey in sweltering saloons. Think high-stakes poker games with folded cards in backrooms. Think handkerchief-wearing bandits conducting elaborate stagecoach robberies, hoping to strike it rich with the very coins we will cover in this guide — the Morgan Silver Dollar.

Whether you are a seasoned investor looking to diversify your portfolio or a newcomer intrigued by the allure of precious metal investments, this guide will provide you with valuable information and practical tips to maximize the potential of your Morgan Silver Dollar investments. 

 To read more, go here.