The 1911-D $2 1/2 gold piece continues to be one of the most popular "dated" coins in the entire realm of United States coins. With that popularity and corresponding value, also comes the threat of counterfeits. Two or three times a month, PCGS sees a counterfeit example of this date; usually the fake is a struck copy, occasionally an added mint-mark is seen. Oddly, the added mint-mark is invariably created through "chasing," a method of moving the metal in the fields to create the fake "D." PCGS never encounters a fake 1911-D that has a glued-on mint-mark.

Fortunately, authentication of a 1911-D $2 1/2 is made easier by the low mintage of the coin. Only two dies were used, and most of the survivors are from one die combination that offers a virtually infallible (95++% reliable) diagnostic. The diagnostic is not the wire rim on the obverse [see photo #1] (only 80% or so genuine pieces show this characteristic) but, instead, a short, raised vertical die polish line in the recess just in front of the arrowheads being clutched by the eagle on the reverse. Take a close look at photo #3, but you may want to look a photo #2 first to get oriented.

In order to see this characteristic under the most ideal conditions, you will want to view the coin with at least a 5X magnifier and with the light source beaming at a 90-degree angle to the die line. This diagnostic is so reliable that it can be used to authenticate strong or weak mint-mark examples, and, because it's in a
protected area, it can be found even on the lowest of grades.

#1--The wire rim on the obverse (usually from 11 o'clock to three o'clock) is frequently seen on genuine pieces.

#2--The reverse of a genuine 1911-D $2 1/2. The mint-mark on this example is unusually sharp.

#3--The recessed area of the arrowhead shows a short, raised vertical die polish line on genuine pieces.