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1916-D Dime
Attracts Coin Doctors and Counterfeiters
by Jaime Hernandez (PCGS) We have
all heard the phrase "if it's too good to be
true, it probably is."
Unfortunately, coin doctors and coin
counterfeiters are also very familiar with this
phrase. So, what do they do? They just mark up
the price of the coins which they altered or
fabricated. This way, unsuspecting buyers
believe the fake or altered coins are authentic
since they are being sold at about the same
price as authentic example.
Once these counterfeit coins get into
collectors' hands, the first thing some of the
collectors want to do is get their coins
authenticated and encapsulated by PCGS. Then
comes the most difficult part of our profession,
which is when we have to bare the sad news to
the collectors by letting them know their coins
have been altered or even worse, they are fake.
For this, we also have a phrase which is,
"please don't shoot the messenger." We really
dislike having to tell submitters that the coins
they bought have been altered or they are fake.
One of the most notorious coins that attract
coin doctors and counterfeiters is the 1916-D
dime. The 1916-D dime is often altered or
counterfeited because it commands a strong
premium. The 1916-D dimes used four different
reverse dies to strike the coins. Two of these
four reverses also have re-punched mint marks
which make it very helpful in determining
authentic examples.
Here's how to determine an authentic 1916-D
dime. The genuine mintmark on a 1916-D dime has
a square-like appearance. The inside of the "D"
is triangular in shape, and the serifs are
strong and squared off. The mintmark is very
well defined and sharply struck. Of the four
reverse dies that were used, two show
re-punching on the mintmark, leaving a notched
effect in the upper left serif. The mintmarks
that were not re-punched do not display the
notched effect.
So remember if you are purchasing an expensive
coin such as a 1916-D dime, make sure it is
certified by PCGS as our graders are well aware
of the differences between altered and authentic
examples. |