1877 s US Trade Coin fake?

Hi All,

Wanted opinions on this 1877 on ebay and whether its fake. It is a bit hard to tell on one side but I believe the designs match the year for both sides.

Im not commenting on the coin, because you ask the question just from posting two images with no context. For example, you say it is on eBay, but dont put the eBay link. What does the eBay seller say? What is the eBay sellers rating? How many coins have they sold? Etc etc

If the eBay seller is saying it is genuine and you have doubts after purchasing it, you can reclaim you money from eBay with a case against the seller. If the seller doesn't say it is genuine, doesn’t accept returns and it is cheap - but you think it is a great deal and think it is real, it is probably fake.

Good Points, apologies as I am new to the forum. But also some details can give a bias answer compared to someone making a determination from photos.

Roughly $200 usd, coming from Vietnam (which I sieve is a red flag). No weights or dimensions included although I have asked. Seller has good feedback and ratings across sales. Category of the coin has it as uncertified but that is common from what I see. 

Ebay link below.

https://ebay.us/m/IZ52bO

Well, where to start. 
 

The seller looks pretty reliable, a member of eBay Australia for 15 years with a good sales record. If you buy the coin and prove it is fake, eBay guarantee covers you, but the seller doesn’t accept returns. The price is higher than the catalogue price, as the coin is in pretty bad condition. The year and mint mark is from the highest mintage and so it is the most commonly available coin.  All these are good points.

As for the coin, some features jump out as being suspicious. The areas in the fields which should be smooth (above liberty’s arm, below the eagles wing) are pitted or rough. The banner above the eagle seems to just disappear on the left side, with no logical wearing around it. 
 

So I personally wouldn’t buy this coin, one because it is priced too high, two because it looks either cast or recovered from the sea, three it looks like it could be a contemporary counterfeit (not a modern cheap counterfeit), which makes me even more suspicious and sceptical. However I don’t believe the seller is acting in the belief it is fake, so I would certainly look through the other items they have for sale, if they too are over the catalogue price for their condition - I wouldn’t buy anything. 

Of course the decision is yours to make, Hope this helps.

Just to add, I recently bought a silver (.900) coin on ebay from a seller that does not accept returns. It wasn't silver and ebay/seller accepted the return without question.

US $180 is not too overpriced for this coin/condition.

I agree with King in that regardless of authenticity you can find one in better condition for less.  You could always offer less.

Thank you both for the information. It is a tricky decision when there are some red flags with a reputable seller. I have asked for measurements and will see what comes back. 

I definitely would offer less for this coin. The problem I am facing is pretty much every other us trade dollar on ebay Australia is selling for way above this price. Even the “holed” ones are selling for similar. 

May just need to bide my time perhaps.

Thanks again.