How do you know thw real one isn't fake

[Seals]

First I want to thank all that have help me with this problem. However, I have been thinking, (some say that's the problem). I was thinking about the HJ Trade medals I have and have become more confused than ever. I took a look at all I have and have found that 3 are fake and 3 are real. Therein is my problem. How do we know that the real one's aren't fake and the fake one's are real????????. I have been on the net looking for anything that may help me in this quest. I have,in the past posted a thread and gotten answers from folks that " this fake and that one is real". I have medals that the "MA" in the makers mark are touching and some they aren't. I think what I'm trying to say or ask, how do you know, other than just haveing the makers mark where the "MA" aren't touching, they are the real ones?????. Does anyone have a document stating that the "MA" should or shouldn't be touching or it should be cream coloed or white. If you have proof that the "MA" or color should be this way or the other way, please help a simple mined person understand. Thanks Clarence

[Don Scowen]

Clarence,

I'm afraid it comes down to experience & observation. When you start to compare the workmanship & little differencies between the badges you will start to learn good from bad.

Things like the shape of the eagles heads, shape & position of the claws, differencies in the cog wheels & yes the colour of the background which is never white..... I'm afraid that I'm not going to list all the things to tell a fake on an open forum as this will give too much information to the fakers who are known to lurch here as well.

I've studdied these badges for years & after close examination of so many, fakes can be spotted, especially "in the hand", from pictures it can be a little harder.

Cheers
Don