American Silver Eagle Replicas

Remember the old supersition that if you bit into a coin, you'd find out if it was legal tender? You don't think black cats are bad luck, so why would you break your teeth? There's a reason you have coin certification services for silver eagles. It's not always possible to tell the difference between a replica and a real thing--just ask anyone in Hollywood. Say you have five 1999 proof American Silver Eagles. Your best friend, who swears by horseshoes and four-leaf clovers, says your coins are fake. How do you tell? Need some silver dollar tips? According to the US Mint, that 1999 silver eagle might be a reproduction if: * It weighs a half-ounce. * It's twice the size of the regular silver dollar. * It contains .999 pure silver--the real American Silver Eagles contain .9993 * The inscription on the reverse reads "One Half Pound Fine Silver .999." * Look to the right of the eagle's tail--the genuine silver dollar has the designer's initials, "JM". You can do this test for all American Silver Eagles. It's easier than walking under a ladder on Friday the 13th.