One of the biggest signs of a successful product is the ripoff. As soon as a certain movie makes all the money, you’ll see crummy knockoffs made that are close to the real thing, but not so close they need to worry about getting sued. A piece of technology is unveiled, and soon afterwards, a carbon copy will be for sale promising the same results at a lower price. Over and over, the end result is the same, which is a cheaper and clearly inferior product.

When it comes to collectible coins, exactly the same thing is taking place. American silver eagles are unquestionably the most popular silver coin program on the planet today. Their demand is gigantic, and that’s reflected by their profits. The United States Mint sold approximately $44.1 million during 2014, and a sizeable uptick of $47.3 million in 2015. That’s a lot of money, and you can be sure that counterfeiters wanted to dip their beaks into some of those profits.

As a collector, how can you protect yourself to make sure you don’t pay good money for a fake? Read on for some useful details to look for.

• The American silver eagle made its debut in 1986. However, Chinese forgers have reportedly made fakes that were dated as far back as 1906. Most forgers won’t be this sloppy, but always check the date.

• With one exception, silver eagles have always been struck by the U.S. Mint with a reeded edge. The lone exception to this are the 2016 30th Anniversary versions.

• Every silver eagle coin, regardless of the date, is made to the exact same diameter. Many fakes tend to be smaller, so it’s best to line up your coin with a proven silver eagle to check.

• Check the number font used on the dates. The U.S. Mint uses a particular font that causes the tops of numbers, like a 3, to have a straight edge. Many counterfeiters use a font that rounds off the top of the numbers.

• The U.S. Mint sticks to extremely rigorous specifications. Every single silver eagle has a thickness of 2.98 mm or .1193 inches, a weight of 1 Troy ounce or 31.103 grams, a diameter of 40.6 mm or 1.598 inches, and coin content of .999 silver and .001 copper. You can use a digital electronic scale to get an accurate weight within 2 decimal points. With calipers, you can check the diameter and thickness.

• Along similar lines, the Mint also uses specific dimensions when striking the rim and edge. Many fakes tend to have edges and rims that are bigger.

• Remember that silver and gold are precious metals that are also non-magnetic. If you hold a magnet up to your coin, and the coin sticks, you’ve got a fake.

• When some fakes were struck, they were made primarily with copper and a very thin layer of silver plating on top. Using a magnifying glass or microscope, look closely at the edges of the coin. Many forgers don’t extend the silver to the edge of the coin, and copper is visible in places.

If you want to be really sure, contact Austin Rare Coins. We’re an experienced and certified coin dealer, and we’re always happy to lend you our expertise.