Counterfeit trade dollars have pretty much flooded the market over the past decade.  Buyers of trade dollars had better know what they’re buying, and if you don’t know how to tell a counterfeit from the real thing you are best off just buying coins graded by PCGS, NGC or another recognized service that certifies the authenticity of the coin.  Here is a listing of a number of points you need to consider while starting to build your trade dollar collection.

• Buying on Ebay is a sure way to buy a fake, if you must buy on ebay buy PCGS, NGC or ANACS certified coins and even then the certification might be fake.
• Until you can become an expert in identification of counterfeits, buy certified coins from reputable dealers.
• Even when you can tell the difference, if you’re buying online, only buy certified coins from reputable dealers.
• Today’s counterfeit is much higher quality than yesterdays cast slugs.  We haven’t seen one yet that has fooled PCGS, NGC or ANACS, but some people think it’s only a matter of time.
• For some counterfeiters, it is easier to make a counterfeit slab than it is to make counterfeit coins.  Even when purchasing PCGS, NGC, and ANACS certified coins, be sure you deal with a reputable source or you may end up with a counterfeit coin encased in a counterfeit slab.
• Ask someone who knows better before buying, and if you don’t know an expert find one on a community website like CoinTalk.

In conclusion, it is such a minefield in this market that you absolutely must put some time up front into learning the field or you will loose hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars buying fake coins.