Most reproductions are easy to tell by picking up the piece and seeing how "heavy" it is. This IS NOT the case with the Uncle Sam Planter.  The weight may be a little off, but not by much! It would be very difficult to tell this piece is a reproduction just by the weight.  

The clay color looks like Ohio clay (sort of a creamy white/beige color).  Again, you would not be able to tell this is a reproduction by looking at the clay color.

Glaze color might be the most important factor (if you don't have a ruler with you) when trying to determine if the Uncle Sam Planter is a reproduction.  Collectors should be aware that McCoy only produced the Uncle Sam planter in Aqua, yellow and white!  As with any piece, there may be a handful of test pieces with a different glaze, but generally speaking, if you find one of these in any color besides aqua, yellow and white, you can pretty much guess that it is a reproduction! These have been a small number of originals that have been found with cold paint also. 

The aqua glaze used on the reproduction is close to the original, but it is lacking that same vibrant color that makes REAL McCoy Pottery stand out in the crowd!   Reproductions are showing up in several colors such as yellow, blue, lime green, white, pink  and aqua.  

It is important to note that the drips and misses that are not unusual with REAL McCoy pottery, are also common....if not MORE common....of these reproductions.  You will see one of these drips on the top photo.  Look closely at the top of the hat!

With all this being said, the best defense a collector has against all the reproductions and fakes that are being to surface is knowledge.....along with a ruler!  Keep both handy when you are out there antiquing!

For more information on reproductions, please be sure to visit our reproduction alert page!