Counterfeit and Altered Coin Detection Course at 81st CSNS Convention

Professional numismatists Bob Campbell and Brian Silliman will conduct a two-day course on counterfeit coin detection on the run-up to the 2020 Central States convention.

Campbell, a past president of the American Numismatic Association, and Silliman, who has authenticated coins for NGC and other organizations, will reprise their ANA Summer Seminar course, Counterfeit and Altered Coin Detecting, on the Monday and Tuesday before the start of the 81st Central States Anniversary Convention.

Campbell - photo by James Bucki

Silliman and Campbell will teach students the often-subtle differences between genuine, counterfeit and, altered coins. Attendees will handle "raw" genuine and spurious coins under instructor supervision.

Topics will include counterfeit coin production; types of counterfeit dies and castings; date and mintmark alterations; specific gravity testing; and the use of microscopes.

Campbell, who has been teaching the Summer Seminar detecting counterfeiting course for more than 20 years, was honored with the ANA's Medal of Merit at this year's World's Fair of Money. He owns All About Coins in Salt Lake City, UT.

Silliman, who has authenticated coins for the ANA's Authentication Bureau. NCS and NGC, was awarded and ANA Presidential Award in 2016. He owns Brian Silliman Rare Coins in West Hills, CA.

Silliman - photo by ANA

The class will be conducted from noon to 6 PM Monday, April 20, and 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday, April 21, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, in advance of the Central States convention, which begins Wednesday, April 22.

The class is limited to 15 students, with registration offered on a first-come bases. The registration fee is $150.