Counterfeit Detection

To help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit coins, NGC has prepared lists of the most commonly counterfeited US, Chinese and world coins with diagnostic information and images from NGC’s extensive database, as well as commentary from the NGC coin grading team.

18. 1923 Tsao Kun Military Uniform L&M-959 Dollar

Counterfeit 1923 Tsao Kun L&M-959 Dollar
*Photos provided by the ANA Money Museum
Most Common Types of Counterfeits:
  • Transfer die counterfeit
  • Cast Counterfeit
Summary:

Tsao Kun was president of the Republic of China for a little over one year starting in 1923. Soon after his elevation, he commissioned a pair of silver coins. One shows the ruler in civilian dress and commemorates the new constitution. The second, this coin, shows Tsao Kun in military dress and recognizes his successful election.

Diagnostic Tips
Genuine examples have very characteristic flat fields owing to an extremely shallow die radius. Counterfeit coins almost always show a measurably greater degree of concavity than genuine examples.