British Trade dollar

Beware of Fake Coins on Ebay

2011-01-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

Recently there is a lot of suspicious coins listed on ebay... these include BTDs, Japan Meiji coin, US trade dollar etc. It may be difficult to check the authenticity of those coins. But like buying real coin in life... If the price is too good to be true... then beware!!!

And as a rule of thumb, always check ebay seller rating. These seller who have zero feedback... are HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS.

Gold BTD

2010-11-13T03:34:00.000-08:00

There are certain years that private investor supply gold to the mint to make gold british trade dollar. Common years are in 1899-1902. These gold BTD are rare restrike and have a very high price. However, there was no way of officially determining the purity of content as there is no certificate of authenticity. It ias advisable to go through official assay and through reputable dealer if you intent to get one. These are example of gold BTD picture i got from ebay listing...

This gorgeous piece comes with a very high price tag...

Interesting Overdate coin

2010-09-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

Scarce rare overdate coins with 3 numerical overdates
It is 1904 over 1898 original date coins.

Overdates are coins with a later date struck on an earlier date coin.
This features make these coins scarcer and appealing.
There was no officially mintage known for overdates BTD as their number are included into the respective year mintage total.

Identification of High Grade Counterfeit BTD Part 4

2010-09-19T03:48:00.000-07:00

I like to use technique in Part 2 (Kleenex) as it is easy... but it cannot differentiate my toned coins from counterfeit... and it is not advisable to use the silver testing kit as this will spoilt the coin.

This leaves me with my 4th method - sound test. You would have been introduced this technique in my earlier post on identification of counterfeit coin.

The first part showed the sound of 2 real silver BTD (toned coins)

The second video shows you the sounds of the high grade counterfeit coins sound - It reveals white copper sounds... The last knock was actually from the counterfeit coins against a real BTD - it gives a subtle 2 different tone (difficult to pick up).

The trick is... knock 2 real coins will give you the typical silver coin sound whereas 2 piece of counterfeit coin will reveal to you the copper sound. Hence you need to have real coin and counterfeit coin in your inventory to test the coin. Sounds from coins from 2 different composition can be difficult to pick up, but should ring your alarm bell if they sound difference.

Identification of High Grade Counterfeit BTD Part 3

2010-09-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

The third method is using the silver testing solutions... namely NITRIC ACID!

Pure silver will give bright red colour, 0.900 silver will give brown colour and 0.800 silver gives darker brown colour... No change is other metals
You may test this on your coins...

In the beginning, it gives a dark brown colour indicating silver content <0.800


After which, there are some greenish blackish colour at the edge... as the silver melted and mixed with acid solutions.


Then the central part, orange acid solution did not change colour as the base metal is not silver and does not react.

After washing... the silver eroded away by the acid... revealing the underlying base metal (most likely white copper)

This is a plated silver copy coins on white copper.

Remember i told you to try it out... but bare in mind, the acid will erode the original coin as well leaving a blackish mark... THIS IS THE SIDE EFFECT OF USING SILVER TESTING KIT.

ANOTHER WARNING IS DO NOT TOUCH WITH BARE HAND!!!
Hence, there i am not showing the silver testing kit effect on real silver... as this will spoilt the coin.

Identification of High Grade Counterfeit BTD Part 2

2010-09-19T03:13:00.000-07:00

I found this second trick from ebay post... but it is remarkably simple and worth to mention here.
Silver has remarkable reflective activity. If the entire coin is made of 0.900 silver the reflection is stronger than a silver plated coins. Hence by placing a tissue paper (Klennex), the reflection of the counterfeit coin will appears to be dim. It is a simple yet powerful technique to use for differentitaing plated coins (counterfeit) from real coins. Especially those of very high grade

However, this technique is only useful for checking EF - UNC coins. Toning may affect the accuracy of this test. Also beware that capsule or coin slab may also altered the reflective properties of silver coins.

Let's examine this technique with the following coins:

Left coin - Plated 95% COPY coin, center is toned REAL BTD, and left is AUNC 1899B REAL BTD

By placing a piece of Klennex over these coins:

The COPY COIN and TONED REAL COINS appears dimmer than the REAL EF-UNC Silver coins

This screening method is useful to use for checking EF-UNC coins.
The COPY Coin (left) should be as shiny as the Real silver AUNC coin (right) if it is made of full silver!!!
The minus point of this method is that it cannot detect toned coins.

This method is also useful in checking your bullion silver coins... (.999 pure silver rounds). The coin should appear superbly bright over a piece of Klennex as shown below.
If is doesn't... it is probably a China copy silver plated coin, especially those PANDA silver bullion coins!!!

Identification of High Grade Counterfeit BTD Part 1

2010-09-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

The high grade BTD coins, have similar appearance, similar weight and similar diameters.
It is technically demanding to differentiate. However there are some simple trick you can use.
The first part is checking the edges of these coins.
Counterfeit coins have rougher edges and the dots marks around the scroll are not as distinctive.

95% counterfeit coin edges are rough


Real BTD have nice smooth distinctive edges. Just noticed the strike on the counterfeit coins is even nicer in this AU real coin

90% counterfeit coins - 95% similar copy coins

2010-09-19T02:54:00.000-07:00

This piece of counterfeit British Trade dollar is very similar to the real BTD.
They look the same... They weight the same.
But they are made of white copper and not silver...


This is a 90% accurate copy coins. The cut there at the edge showed similar metals content. The whole piece is made of white copper

And if this piece of coins is plated with silver at with the following piece... it is a stunningly similar to original coins. You may even say it is in UNC / BU condition coins.

The difference on the side is tested with nitric acid (scar) where the silver was eroded away and left the underlying white copper similar to the piece above. The original piece was stunningly beautiful


The left coin is the original reverse of the copy coin (silver plated whitte copper) compared to a UNC piece on the right of the original coin. One can hardly spot the difference.


It weights similar to the original coin of 26.98g.

The only difference is only the rougher side rims of the copy coins compared to the original. However, such rough edges can also occurs in certain original coins.


The edges of the 95% copy coins are more course and rough then the original coins.

Hence, if you are buying BTD coins, you may want to view my counterfeit segment on how to differentiate the real coins from these high grade copy coins.

The price of the piece of 95% silver plated coins, guess what ... its cost can be as low as US $2 dollar (MYR 7.50). So... worth to be a bit more cautious... agree?!

Royal Mint Brittania Coin 1998

2010-09-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

Britannia was in a lovely standing post for all British Trade Dollar.
Over the years, this image remains the most symbolic with the Great Britain.
Hence The Royal Mint has since 1998 producing silver coinage depicting the Britannia.
It is widely known as The Britannia coins.

It is a pleasure to see Britannia in different designs.

They are 0.958 pure silver coins with 40mm in diameter.
It weights 32+gram per coins, and each coin actually contains 31.1g or 1troy ounce of pure silver.
More details can be found on the UK Royal Mint website.
Online purchase is available there, subject to availability.

1998 hong Kong return restrike BTD

2010-09-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

British trade dollar was synonymous with Eastern trade during its circulation years.
The britannia was chosen as the picture for commemorative coinage during HK 1998 return to China.
This coin is a restrike copper-nickel coin, and not silver coinage.

1921B BTD

2010-08-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

This year constitude the rarest of all British trade dollar.
Mintage only 50,211 and this piece commands a very high price.

I do not own this coin yet. Found this pics from auction site.

Altered date on 1921 BTD

2010-08-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

Found this pics on China ebay net... This piece of "1921" BTD was listed for USD300, when the market price for a VF 1921 BTD is around USD6000 onwards due to its low mintage of 50,211.

Looking carefully, it is not hard to find that this is an altered coins.

The 2 was clearly different from original coins.

It is always advisable to be extra cautious on internet purchase. Ask the seller for bigger pics if you have the slightest doubt. This seller projects himself as a reputable seller. You may try visit the website listed.

Are you a coin collector or coin investor?

2010-08-29T01:10:00.000-07:00

Examine yourself by answering these questions: (Yes or No)

Do you have pride of ownership to the coin you collect? for possessing something scarce and desirable?
Do you view coin collecting as a long term project
Are you have little concern for price fluctuation?
Do you remove your coin from slab (encased coin), so that you can feel, hold and touch them?
Do you have a long term relationships with a dealer?

If you answer Yes for most of the questions - YOU ARE A COIN COLLECTOR.
A coin Collector buys coin for their artistic, cultural and historical values. They seek to complete a particular set of coins without much regards to the pricing. They have a good and cordial relationships with coin dealer, and they will reserve some special coins for these type of clients / friends.

Coin investor in contrast only interested in slab and graded coins and have only one concern - buy coin to make a profit. Ironically many coin investors became dedicated collector after some time... as holding a rare coin is a thrill and many such investors are educated and culture minded people who seek to diversify their investment portfolios. Coin dealer knows these people only deal with slab coins and potential profits will stir their interest.

There is also a middle group of coin collector / investor who stands somewhere between these two.

These 3 groups will react differently in the market place: Eg, If a coin a collector buy for $100 becomes $1000 one year later:-

Chances are a coin collector will not sell it.
Chances for coin collector/investor might sell the coin.
A coin investor will jump with joy for making a 1000% p.a.return in profit.

Hence... what motivates you as a coin collector?

Interesting counterfeit British Trade Dollar

2010-08-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

This copy British Trade dollar coin is 45mm in diameter... The standard BTD diameter is 39mm.
It is made of white copper... And the interesting stuff is when the coin is made for 45mm, the weight approximate the real silver coin of 26.98g. Low grade 39mm white copper copy coins usually weight less than this in the region of 25g.

This copy coin is easy to distinguish for its size and features

It weights similar to the real btd weight of 26.98g

British Trade Dollar as ornament

2010-08-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

As in the earlier post on history of BTD. A lot of British trade dollar coins ends up in as ornamental items and jewellery. The commonest type is installation of a hook for necklace purpose.


This nice BTD has a hook on its top

The above coin wasn't too bad, if compared to this one who has two holes drilled through it; in order to put a chain through...


The holes on the coin, has been poorly repaired by filler.

As a collector, the end result for these two types of coin is a greatly destruction of its values. This is no longer considered a desirable collector items... they are SPOIL coins... there are collected for my interest.

1895 British Trade Dollar

2010-08-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

This is the rare first year mintage of BTD
Two types: 1895B and 1895
Total mintage is 3,316,036

1896 BTD

2010-08-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

There is only 1 type of 1896B in this year.
mintage is 6,135,617
Considered scarce date.

MS 62 British Trade Dollar

2010-08-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

MS-62 coin graded by PCGS.
Reference link:
1. PCGS at http://www.pcgs.com/
2. NGC at http://www.ngccoin.com/
3. ANACS at http://www.anacs.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Additional description:
UNCIRCULATED - MS62
OVERVIEW: Original mint luster with no trace of wear; moderate bag marks.
EYE APPEAL: The eye appeal will be negative to slightly positive. The negativity in this grade usually involves excessive marks/hairlines and/or the strike and/or lack of luster and/or unattractive toning . There can be one to three of the major criteria which contribute to negative eye appeal. Even coins with overall positive eye appeal usually have one or two areas that are negative. Thus, a coin with numerous marks/hairlines but with average strike and luster may grade MS-62, while a coin with just a few marks (probably in the wrong places) and weak strike and luster also may grade MS-62.
MARKS: The marks/hairlines may cover most of the coin. If the marks/hairlines are light, they may be scattered across the entire coin. If there are several severe marks/hairlines, then the rest of the coin should be relatively clean.
STRIKE: The strike can range from very weak (e.g. some New Orleans Mint Morgan dollars) to full.
LUSTER: The luster can range from poor to vibrant.
Source: http://www.coin-gallery.com/cggradingart.htm

MS 63 Graded Coin by NGC

2010-08-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Here's another pictorial reference of higher grades coin: for MS 63
Reference link:
1. PCGS at http://www.pcgs.com/
2. NGC at http://www.ngccoin.com/
3. ANACS at http://www.anacs.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Additional reference:
CHOICE UNCIRCULATED - MS63
OVERVIEW: Exceptional mint luster; no wear; light bag marks.
EYE APPEAL: The eye appeal can be slightly negative to very positive. The "average" MS-63 will have neutral eye appeal (noticeable marks/hairlines, average to above average strike, and average luster). However, quite a few coins are graded MS-63 because of negative appearance. If either the luster, strike, or marks/hairlines are below the standards set forth here, then one of the other criteria must be exceptional for the coin to attain MS-63.
MARKS: There may be numerous marks/hairlines, including several major marks/hairlines in main focal areas. If there are distracting marks/hairlines on the major devices, then the fields should be relatively clean. If there are distracting marks/hairlines in the fields, then the devices should have less disturbance.
STRIKE: The strike will range from slightly below average to full.
LUSTER: The luster can be below average to full. The toning can seriously impede the luster. On brilliant coins, there can be significant breaks in the luster. Red copper can be considerably mellowed. There can be noticeable spotting, including several large spots or a group of small ones. Note: If the luster is poor, then the coin would not be graded MS-63 even if the strike were full and the marks/hairlines were acceptable for the grade.
Source: http://www.coin-gallery.com/cggradingart.htm

GEM MS-65 British Trade Dollar

2010-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Pictorial reference are great form of assistance in helping you to grade your own BTDs.
These pictures are sought from ebay, and can be compared by typing the serial number in the respective grading company websites (see section on counterfeit).

Here's an example of BU-MS 65 coin:

Superb impressive details... wouldn't you agreed so?
Reference links:
1. PCGS at http://www.pcgs.com/
2. NGC at http://www.ngccoin.com/
3. ANACS at http://www.anacs.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Additional reference:
GEM UNCIRCULATED - MS65
OVERVIEW: Blazing original luster and virtually no surface flaws.
EYE APPEAL: The eye appeal will be average or above. This is a very nice coin. However, there are many ways a coin can grade MS-65. This grade (or MS/Proof-64) may have the largest range of eye appeal. A coin may grade MS-65 with scattered light marks, but with great luster and strike - or a coin with virtually no marks but slightly impeded luster also could be MS-65. The overall eye appeal still must be positive or the coin does not merit MS-65.
MARKS: There may be several scattered marks, hairlines, or other minor defects. If the flaws are in a main focal area, then they must be minor and fewer. Hidden marks and hairlines can be larger. On dime type and smaller, they almost always must be in the devices or be very minor if they are in the fields. On larger coins, there can be marks/hairlines in the fields and in the devices, though no major ones.
STRIKE: The coin will be well struck.
LUSTER: The luster will be average (almost always above average), and any toning can only slightly impede the luster. Copper coins can have mellowing of color for red and unevenness of color for red-brown or brown coins. Note: There can be minor spotting for copper coins.
Source: http://www.coin-gallery.com/cggradingart.htm

Coin Values

2010-07-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

All collector's coin has 2 types of values:

1. Metal values

Silver coins are based on silver spot price x silver content of the coin

2. Numismatic values

Depends on grading of the coin
Mintage and rarity of the coin

These 2 elements combined to determine coin values.
For example,

the surge of silver spot price from USD5 to USD 18 in 2008-2010 increases silver coin values.
BTD 1934, 1921 fetch very high price due to its numismatic values (rarity)
Higher grade coin in UNC condition are of higher values.

History of British Trade dollar

2010-07-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

In 19th century, British empire reigns in South East Asia, and as a results of Opium war (1839-1843 and 1856-1860) British controlled Hong Kong and China was forced to open various ports and as a result trade florished.It became necessary to produce a special Dollar so as to remove the reliance of a British Colony upon the various foreign coins then in circulation such as the Mexican, US, French, Spanish and Japan trade dollars.

The British Government then approved the mintage of a silver trade dollar for general trade use in the Far East in 1894. The British trade dollars were issued from 1895 - 1935. There is a proof specimens in Bank Negara Malaysia Money Museum (only 2 specimens known to exist). (http://moneymuseum.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=4&pg=6&ac=127).

(From moneymuseum.bnm.gov.my)

It was designed by G.W.De Saulles, engraver of the Royal Mint, London and the coins were struck at Bombay, Calcuta and the Royal Mint ,London.Specifications:
Weights: 26.95g
Silver content: 0.900 or 0.7798oz per coin
Diameter 39.0mm
Thickness: 1.9mm
Uniquely, there is no mentioning of which country minted the British Trade dollar.

Obverse: Shows a helmeted Britannia standing looking to the left, her right hand grasping a trident and her left hand resting on an oval shield bearing the united crosses of Saint George of England, Saint Andrew of Scotland and Saint Patrick of Ireland. A sailing ship is in the distance. ONE DOLLAR is above and te date below. The whole encircled by a Chinese scroll “key” pattern border.

Reverse: Shows a Chinese labyrinth encircled by four compartments containing the Chinese characters YEE YUAN(One Dollar) and in the left and right compartments, the Arabic characters reading SATU RINGGIT(One Dollar). The whole encircled by a Chinese scroll key pattern border.

Mint Mark:

B = bombay mint

C = Calcutta mint

London mint has no mintmark. (1925 and 1930 issues only)

1921-B dollar was struck but never released for circulation, and only a limited number of 1934-B and 1935-B coins were released. It's likely that they ceased as useful money as a result of the passage in this year of the Currency Ordinance which called for the creation of Hong Kong's own money, both paper and in metal, to replace foreign monies. The 1935-B British Trade Dollar was the last of its kind, and it is likely that they were dumped into the smelting pots at the mint after the Ordinance passed, with just a few pieces held back.

Interestingly there are some overdates coins on the BTDs.

Overdates coin are new date struck over an old date coins.

The full lists are:

1897B over 1896B
1901B over 1900B
1903B over 1902B
1904B over 1903B
1904B over 1900B
1904B over 1898B
1908B over 1903B
1908B over 1907B
1910B over 1900B
1929B over 1901B
1929B over 1921B

Chinese merchants also occasionally stamped their own chopmarks on these silver coins to indicate ownership, and probably to certify the authenticity of these coins.

British Trade dollar circulation of the coin in the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Malacca and Penang) was for an even shorter period. In 1903 the Straits Settlements introduced their own special dollar coin and the British dollar was gradually withdrawn from circulation.

Straits settlements trade dollars

The reverse resembles the British trade dollar

British Trade Dollar was finally demonetized on August 1, 1937 and many have ended up incorporated into Chinese jewellery!

The 2 filled up holed on the coins are probably for necklace string

Source of Information:

1. B S Sharples 1 October 2007 (http://www.bsswebsite.me.uk/A%20Short%20History%20of/tradedollar.html)

2. SL Collection Coin site (http://coincollecting.a-z-series.com/brief-history-of-the-british-trade-dollar1895-1935/)

3. BNM interactive money museum (http://moneymuseum.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=4&pg=6&ac=127)

Identification of counterfeit Coins (Part 5 - Ask the expert)

2010-07-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

You can always bring your coin and ask the expert coin dealer in town for its authenticity.

You will be amazed that these experience dealer, never rely on any methods i described earlier, except probably to test the sound a coin produces! They will tell you by intuition, this coin feels real or counterfeit. This is the skills that they developed after viewing through hundreds and thousands of coins. A subtle differences will let them knows that the coins is counterfeit and they are most of the time CORRECT!!!

As for British Trade Dollar, one expert coin dealer honesty told me before that, "The BTDs are actually not well struck coins from their India Mints! It can be difficult to differentiate a poorly struck real coin from high grade counterfeit."

The honest statement is very true in my opinion, as evidenced in:
1. High grade coins are usually the 1930 coins from London Mint.
2. All professional coin grading services usually only gives the highest grade of MS 64 for BTD. You can rarely find any BTD coins graded MS 65 and higher.

Identification of counterfeit Coins (Part 6 - Grading Service)

2010-07-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

If in doubt, you can opt for graded slabbed coins by professional bodies:
1. PCGS at http://www.pcgs.com/
2. NGC at http://www.ngccoin.com/
3. ANACS at http://www.anacs.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Nevertheless these graded coins are always at higher price.
You can verify the authenticity of graded coins on their respective websites.
By entering the serial number, the picture of the coins will be shown (on NGC website).

Other advices are:
1. Always buy from trusted seller (reputable coin dealers or ebay seller with good high feedback score).
2. Ask questions, a good seller can always tell you more about the coin. Eg the origins of this coin, how he obtains the coins and the story behind it. The more special the coin is, the more enthusiastic the seller is usually.
3. And if the deal is too good to be true... it should ring your alarm.
4. If buying coins online, avoid seller from certain countries. (China, India, Eastern Europe).
5. Always check the feedback score in ebay seller. Some seller with low score are making it up!

And always trust your intuition. If you feel something is not right... walk away.
There is always another coin coming up in near future.

For further reading on graded coin review. Pls follow this link below...
http://coincollecting.a-z-series.com/how-genuine-is-encapsulated-coin/

Identification of counterfeit Coins (Part 4 - toss your coin!?)

2010-07-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

If you have tried to sell your coin to coin dealer. You will notice that majority of them have the habits of tossing your coin, or knock your coin to make some sounds... How accurate can this be?

Let's examine a few instances:
1. In the first video, both are fake coins containing iron. The sounds are slightly deep toned, short lived.

2. In the second one, both are fake BTDs containing white copper. The sounds are crisp and lighter tone. This is very close to the silver coin sound!!!

3. Modern copper nickle coins, the sounds are deep toned and short lived like the iron coins.

4. Now using 2 real French IndoChina Piastre (0.900 silver coin similar to the BTDs). The sounds are crisp, light tone and long lasting hmmn...

So... how can this be useful? You can bring along a real coin, and test the sound produced... If the coins is not real... they will produce two difference sounds...

In this video, the long hmm sound was from the real silver FIC. The fake BTD produced different short lasting sound of different character and distort the silver coin sound.

I find this method quite reliable and handy... The difference can be subtle... Practice makes perfect. Any difference in sound should ring your alarm..
Try your own method of producing the sounds. The methods shown here are taught to me by an experienced coin collector.