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As the American Monetary Association concludes its annual conference called “Global Fair Money” at Oklahoma City this weekend, the coin collector community continues to be plagued by one of the most pressing issues, the spread of counterfeit Chinese-made products.
According to the association, such counterfeits are more widespread than ever before. Experts say it is sold through online auction facilitators such as eBay and online auction facilitators such as eBay.
US Mint’s latest coin release featuring laser engraving is a leap in counterfeit bust technology, with some people thinking that agents are hanging their noses on fake coin makers in the process.
“The US government is clearly trying to do something with the surge in Chinese counterfeits regarding online auction facilitators,” said Scott Travers, editor-in-chief of Coinage Magazine, author and naughtyman. “Mint is trying to send a very public message by coming up with new technologies that will stop counterfeiters and bring back generations.”
The newly issued 2025 American Eagle Silver Proof is the latest in iconic Investor and Collector Coin, first launched in 1986.
A 1 ounce silver coin produced in US mint at West Point holds a “Walking Liberty” figure by sculptor Adolf A. Weinman (first used in a half-dollar in 1916) wrapped around the folds of the American flag, holding laurel and oak branches. Conversely, it appears to be tied to a nest, which is the same image since 2021.
It is the first time that this publication is made unique. In particular, laser-engraved Privy Mark is a design element that is commonly used for marketing or historical purposes. For example, 2020 American Eagle Coin commemorating the 75thth The anniversary of the end of World War II featured a wise mark with the words “V75.”
Privy Mark, a laser-enlarged coin for 2025, introduces laser beams and the rays flowing from its core.
“It gives a strong message,” he said. “Do something stupid and don’t try to copy US coins anymore.”
He called the coin “one of the most important and symbolic issues in modern history.”
The US Treasury Department, which oversees the Mint, did not respond to requests for comment from USA Today.
The stupidity of fake coins
Forged coins have long been filled with aspects of the monetary world and federal authorities. A 2008 Coinworld survey estimated over 100 robust counterfeit companies in China at the time, most of which operate cottage-type businesses.
Experts say fakes are generally displayed on online auction sites and are often offered at a seemingly bargain price. Perhaps a ounce of silver coin is as low as $16, despite the continued price of silver being more than twice as high.
“Many people fall into that trap,” says John Albanese, founder and CEO of Certified Acceptance Corporation, one of three major coin certification companies serving the world of coin collecting. “But if the silver is priced at $34 a ounce and someone is selling it for $16 or $19, we can guarantee it’s a counterfeit. It’s a minefield.”
Serious collectors are well versed enough to avoid such temptations, but the general public remains vulnerable, Travers said “hoping to tear the eye from sellers and get a better end to the bargain.”
“It’s awful and ruthless to find an American Eagle on eBay for $16, represented as a negotiable and authentic American coin,” he said.
eBay is not permitted to sell counterfeit products on its website, but coin community discussions on social platforms such as Reddit and elsewhere say enforcement often comes after the fact, and other sellers will take the place of it.
“The counterfeit sellers will be shut down at some point, but that’s a mall-slam game,” one user said in a community chat on eBay earlier this year. “The other one is always pop-up.”
Travers said he had some sympathy.
“They are trying and breaking in to fix this,” he said. “A lot of this is beyond their control.”
Albanese said counterfeit products can look very authentic even to longtime collectors. He places magnets in his office as one way to detect counterfeit silver, usually made of steel. Unlike silver, this is drawn in a magnetic pull.
The 2025 American Eagle represents a quantum leap, but he said it still doesn’t solve the problem of counterfeiting with coins produced in the early years.
“There are still billions of coins out there that people aren’t sure are real,” Albanese said. “That’s why we tell people to buy from a reputable dealer.”
“No one has seen the details before.”
The American Eagle series is specially designed for collectors, and produces a variety of mintages in gold, platinum and palladium each year. For example, the 2025 lineup includes coins commemorating the 250th Several US military anniversary, wise marks featuring military logos.
Laser-engraved American Eagle Coin is a so-called proof coin, meaning that it is made by hitting a planchet or metal disc. This process produces what the travers describe as a chrome-like glow.
“It’s like a mirror,” he said. “You’ll be able to see yourself.”
In this case, the die is engraved with a laser engraved design. “It’s almost three-dimensional.”
Proofcoins have been in production since the 1800s, but according to the proof set, they entered the modern era in 1936, when they began being sold not only to collectors but also to the general public. At the time, Mintage was as small as 50 or dozen coins depending on the number of orders, Travers said.
US Mint characterizes the 2025 silverproof coin as a “first opportunity” to purchase coins produced with new technology. Coins are available through Mint or through the US Mint Sales Center in Denver, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.
Mintage in coins is considered low these days, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a booming investment, Travers said.
“The mint has dozens of those coins spread,” he said. “Collectively, there are a lot of coins out there.”
As a result, he said collectors seeking profits might want to capitalize on the short-term excitement.
“If they can double their money now, that might be wise,” Travers said. “The strongest time is when they have the buzz, like they are now and the months before Buzz is moved to the latest.”
Perhaps he said the new issues will appeal to those looking to close their collection.
“That’s the spirit of collecting, and I encourage it,” Travers said. “But this doesn’t mean getting rich.”
Despite new technology, experts recommend caution
He said that in the future, laser production will provide great insurance for those who purchase coins made in such a way.
“I wouldn’t think it would encompass all the coins at once,” he said. “But I hope that more precious coins, especially gold, will become the new standard, because the problem with the forged gold coins is overwhelming.”
Travers said counterfeit gold coins made from tungsten and coated with gold are being seen, offering them as low as $100 to $500 on online auction sites. Gold is currently valued at over $3,300 per ounce.
Despite the new technology, Travers and Albanese say counterfeiting is a problem with coins produced in the past few years.
“The counterfeiter simply flips the coin over the previous date,” Travers says.
He said smart collectors are adamant about independently purchasing coins that are independently certified by companies that encapsulate coins in acoustically sealed holders, for example, using protective holograms, often as part of their authentication services.
“These grading services will still be the best governance,” Travers said. “Just because the coin is hit by the new laser technology people say, that’s enough for me.”
