WHY OLD IRONSIDES FAKES FLOOD THE MARKET—AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
YOU JUST HEARD ABOUT OLD IRONSIDES FAKES
You typed “Old Ironsides fakes” because you saw a coin, a document, or a piece of memorabilia that looked too good to be true. Maybe it was a $20 gold piece stamped “1804,” or a ship’s log signed by Captain Hull. You want to know: is this real, and if not, why are there so many fakes out there? Let’s start from zero.
WHAT IS OLD IRONSIDES?
Old Ironsides is the nickname for the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Launched in 1797, she fought in the War of 1812 and became a legend when cannonballs bounced off her thick oak hull—hence “Old Ironsides.” Today, she’s docked in Boston and open for tours. Because of her fame, anything connected to her—coins, documents, artifacts—is valuable. That value makes her a prime target for fakers.
WHY DO FAKES EXIST?
Imagine you bake the best chocolate chip cookies in town. People pay $5 a dozen. Someone notices and starts baking look-alikes, selling them for $3. They’re not as good, but they fool enough buyers to make a profit. That’s what happens with Old Ironsides fakes.
The real items—like 1800s-era coins minted to fund the ship, or handwritten letters from her captains—are rare. A single authentic 1804 silver dollar sold for over $3 million. Even a simple ship’s logbook can fetch thousands. Fakers see dollar signs and start copying. The more famous Old Ironsides becomes, the more fakes appear.
THE THREE TYPES OF OLD IRONSIDES FAKES YOU’LL SEE
1. COINS AND MEDALS
These are the most common. The U.S. Mint made special coins in the 1800s to raise money for the ship’s repairs. The 1804 silver dollar is the most famous, but fakers also copy 1834 “Class I” dollars, 1842 “Class II” restrikes, and 1858 “Class III” coins. They might also fake medals given to crew members.
2. DOCUMENTS
Ship’s logs, muster rolls (crew lists), letters from captains, and even newspapers from the 1800s can be faked. A single page from the USS Constitution’s logbook might sell for $500 to $2,000 if real. Fakers print replicas on old-looking paper or alter real documents from other ships to say “USS Constitution.”
3. ARTIFACTS
Buttons from sailors’ uniforms, pieces of the ship’s wood, or even cannonballs can be faked. A real piece of the ship’s original copper sheathing sold for $1,200. Fakers take modern copper, age it with chemicals, and sell it as “authentic.”
HOW FAKERS TRICK YOU
Fakers use tricks to make their items look old and real. Here’s how they do it:
AGING PAPER
Real 1800s paper has a certain look—thin, slightly yellowed, with uneven edges. Fakers take modern paper and soak it in tea or coffee to stain it. They might crumple it, then iron it flat to add creases. Some use a blowtorch to singe the edges. To the untrained eye, it looks old.
FAKING INK
Old ink fades and bleeds into paper. Fakers mix modern ink with water to make it look faded. They might use a feather quill to write, thinking it makes the document look authentic. Some even add tiny ink blots or smudges to mimic real handwriting mistakes.
COIN DOCTORING
Fakers take real coins from other years and alter them to look like rare Old Ironsides coins. For example, they might take a common 1803 silver dollar and change the “3” to a “4” to make it look like an 1804. They use acid to eat away metal, then fill in the gaps with solder. Under a microscope, the changes are obvious, but to the naked eye, it can look real.
REPRODUCTION ARTIFACTS
Some fakers don’t even try to hide that their items are replicas. They sell “USS Constitution replica buttons” or “reproduction logbooks” but market them in a way that makes buyers think they’re real. They might say, “This is a high-quality reproduction of an 1812 ship’s log,” but bury that detail in fine print.
HOW TO SPOT A FAKE BEFORE YOU BUY
You don’t need a degree in history to avoid fakes. Use these simple checks:
CHECK THE WEIGHT
Real silver and gold coins have a specific weight. An 1804 silver dollar should weigh 26.96 grams. If it’s lighter or heavier, it’s fake. Buy a cheap digital scale (under $20) and compare the weight to official mint records.
LOOK FOR MAGNETISM
Real silver and gold are not magnetic. If a coin sticks to a magnet, it’s fake. This is a quick test you can do with any fridge magnet.
EXAMINE THE EDGES
Many real coins have reeded edges (little grooves) or lettering. Fakers often skip this detail because it’s hard to replicate. If the edge looks smooth or poorly done, it’s likely fake.
USE A MAGNIFYING GLASS
Look for tiny details. On coins, check the date, the letters, and the images. Fakers often get small details wrong—like the number of stars on the coin’s edge or the shape of the ship’s sails. Compare the item to a known real example (you can find these online).
ASK FOR PROVENANCE
Provenance is the item’s history—where it came from, who owned it, and how it was passed down. A real Old Ironsides item should have paperwork tracing it back to the ship or a reputable collector. If the seller can’t provide this, walk away.
BUY FROM REPUTABLE DEALERS
Stick to dealers who specialize in Old Ironsides items and have a return policy. Avoid eBay sellers with no reviews or private collectors who won’t meet in person. Reputable dealers include:
– Stack OldironSidesfakes.