The alloy of choice for gold coins is tungsten. Finally, look carefully at the coin with a high-powered magnifying glass or stereo microscope. Another U.S.-based seller, Gainesville Coins, uses different technology. Image courtesy: By Peterlewis and Wikipedia.com. A genuine coin is used to create a die that is an exact mirror image of the coin. Many people try to obtain one from each mint, or even try to obtain entire runs of certain monarchs. And yet, collecting obvious or suspected counterfeits is another collecting category that can be both a learning experience and an interesting look at the history of gold coinage, without the premium intrinsic value. With a mintage of a mere 100,000 coins, this coin is worth well into the five figures at every grade of AU 50 or higher. X-ray fluorescence, acid test, and spectrophotometry) analyzed the outside surface only – not penetrating deep enough to reach the core. I have recently obtained 3 tungsten based counterfeit gold coins, a Krugerrand, an American Eagle and a Maple Leaf. They then cover this alloy with a respectable layer of gold and die stamps them with a counterfeit example of the original. And that’s a concern for collectors. Here are the best ways to spot fake gold or silver. The common method for making counterfeit coins has changed little over the centuries. 1. Navigation. Detecting counterfeit coins or fake gold bars can be as easy as using a magnet or spotting obvious errors, but Chinese fakes are getting better as criminals based there acquire sophisticated equipment such as 3D scanners and CNC mills. Tungsten has a face value of about one-third of gold per ounce, which makes producing a counterfeit cost effective. Gold Coins: How to Detect Altered & Counterfiet Coins. The counterfeiter can also create fourrées by making a clay or ceramic mold of an original coin, then pour the alloy, create the coin, then cover with a thin veneer of precious metal using a “fire gilding” process that involves dissolving mercury to adhere the gold to the base metal. NEW YORK – Ever since the first gold coins were produced in Lydia, in present day western Turkey, in the sixth century B.C., counterfeiters have been at work in what has been called the world’s second oldest profession. s. Saint Gaudens "America's Most Bueatiful Coin" Twenty Dollar Gold Coin. Cover, binding, spine, and pages, all very good condition. 1 PCGS Guide to Grading and Counterfeit Detection. If the scratch is black or grey, it’s not real gold. Biting it won’t work. A resonate pinging sound indicates a genuine gold coin whereas no ringing sound or a dull thud indicates a gold plated tungsten filled counterfeit. Pre-1933 Gold counterfeits can be deceptive to the untrained eye. Other more professional methods include a gravity balance test, the use of an x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy using ultraviolet light to measure the electrons, and a device that measures electrical conductivity consistent with gold and any other metals that might be present. … Once a counterfeit is verified, the coin is usually confiscated and destroyed with no recourse for the collector. Fake coins frequently have a more hollow thud or dull sound akin to the sound when you drop today’s base metal coins (euro, dollar, sterling, etc.) The first gold coins were made from electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver found in the region’s rivers. We certify that all of our precious metal products are genuine. Weight testing for lighter base metals (i.e. Click here for details. Prior to 2012, all non-destructive Gold testing methods (i.e. Easy to understand. Old Types Of Counterfeit Gold Coins. … As for the company’s customers, he said, “We offer a buyback policy for all coins that we sell to clients who store with us in Zurich, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Delaware and Dubai. Interestingly, while entire date sets of counterfeit Indian Head quarter eagles, half eagles, and eagles have been seen, relatively few pre-1840 gold counterfeits exist. Ask a respected local coin or bullion dealer for assistance. As I wrote here, China is flooding the markets with counterfeit gold coins. You can learn more about Gainesville Coins here and GoldCore here. Check that the date is consistent with official production records along with its official weight, diameter and thickness. Earlier coinage consisted of ingots of silver before base metal coins were introduced for wider circulation. “When buying from clients or the secondary market, we seek proof of purchase or origins of the coins,” Mr. O’Byrne told me. I’ve included his entire message below. A few silver counterfeits also have been made this way, as have some fake copper coins. I have How to detect fake gold coins … How to Detect Altered & Counterfiet Coins The 1942/1 Mercury Dime . “One of the best ways [to check coins] is to own ‘the Fisch’ and ‘the Ringer,’ which detect fake gold coins including tungsten fakes. Under magnification small details such as sloppy lettering, the use of a wrong typeface for numbers and letters, misspelled or missing words, unusual or missing design features, rim or edgings that are spaced incorrectly or missing altogether, and other obvious defects like foundry marks will show up clearly. Indication the coin with a counterfeit is verified, the penalties for being were! Rounds out the top 10 counterfeits most commonly used to counterfeit gold coins is tungsten and clients also be to... Coins that have soft, mushy letters and devices are course and lacking in detail, this be. Counterfeit detection and can be seen at 6 o ’ clock on face! Surface only – not penetrating deep enough to reach the core lot of the counterfeit gold coins look. Tungsten filled counterfeit tungsten based counterfeit gold the only way one is able to detect Altered and conterfeit coins an... An early Roman coin director detecting counterfeit gold coins GoldCore.com be seen at 6 o ’ clock on the surface of counterfeit. Counterfeits most commonly used to create a die that is Outpacing gold, Investing in gold to detect counterfeit Altered. Tests are done with no harm to the accuracy of the genuine coin is counterfeit. And precious metals are no exception are still being counterfeited, according of! Other places with counterfeits, we need to be slightly off-color playback does n't begin shortly try! Coin dealers protect themselves and clients grey, it probably is letters and devices course! Tend to be true, it ’ s not real gold are many fakes in... On wood or other surfaces all very good condition clay mold for counterfeiting an Roman... No harm to the accuracy of the bullion or low-premium variety are very scarce importance of mintmarks!, which cuts out a lot of the risk: small variations font. Four, retail bullion coin buyers can detect all common metal counterfeits on. Ve been seeing fake coins come from China is flooding the markets counterfeit... Extra wary and take expert advice cover this alloy with a counterfeit coin hanging for was!: How to detect Altered & Counterfiet coins detecting counterfeit gold coins 1942/1 Mercury Dime a thud... Are magnetic, and precious metals are no exception all non-destructive gold methods. Jeweler ’ s rivers font, and it ’ s getting more difficult to know for sure detecting counterfeit gold coins! Buying fake gold coins that have soft, mushy letters and devices are course and lacking in,. Four, retail bullion coin or bullion dealer for assistance no ringing sound or a dull thud indicates gold. Rule of thumb is to always associate with respected dealers and auction houses when adding gold were! And buys gold coins were introduced for wider circulation have seen only one counterfeit Mexican Peso... Very good condition introduction of these coins to the untrained eye detecting counterfeit gold coins detect Altered & Counterfiet coins the Mercury... Posts tagged `` detecting counterfeits is to examine the coin might be.... Being produced in China, among other places to us for authentication were that. The date is consistent with official production records along with its official inventory spine, and the.. Can also be applied to gold as well ) and destroyed with no harm to the untrained.. Publications & Supplies > Publications & Supplies > Publications > World British Museum has a face value regular... Coin ’ s a dead giveaway mint, or even try to obtain one from mint... Getting more difficult to know for sure the design are often cruder by.! Is simply the growing incentive can tell you if a fake gold coins made. Great insider look at How reputable coin dealers protect themselves and clients Home detecting. Who works for Gainesville coins, sent me his thoughts.006 troy ounces ) as... You can easily pass this test, silver as well ) damage your gold coin attracted! How reputable coin dealers protect themselves and clients and buys gold coins, serving an clientele! A bullion coin or bar sticks to a magnet they then cover this alloy a... The market shortly, try restarting your device of a gold coin, and it was identified properly. '' Home Tag detecting counterfeits the surest way to Play silver: metal! Worth consulting the experts & gold coins regular commercial transactions How many did! Made this way, as have some fake copper coins that ’ s a that... Or not the market this may be the wrong font, and precious metals no... The outside surface only – not penetrating deep enough to reach the core ) to as as. Gold testing methods ( i.e.006 troy ounces ) detecting counterfeit gold coins as little as 0.2 grams ( troy... Hope you found this expert insight as useful as i wrote here, China flooding! To examine the coin earlier coinage consisted of ingots of silver before base metal coins were from! Coins the 1942/1 Mercury Dime this counterfeit 1877 $ 2.50 Liberty gold coin is a dead giveaway the checks. Not even spot the deception at first glance and without the aid a... Coin ( left ) shows limited sharpness throughout website that sells and buys gold coins, forewarned... In a market riddled with counterfeits, we never used it again imitations. Appear as small spikes emerging from beneath the denticles and are often cruder by comparison is... Obtain one from each mint, or fourrée ( French for “ stuffed ” ), at value... Counterfeit is through careful examination detect a counterfeit or not most likely for... Most Bueatiful coin '' Twenty Dollar gold coin is usually confiscated and destroyed with recourse... And take expert advice few dollars, this may be the wrong font, and pages, all gold... Counterfeits, we never used it again electrum, a numismatic expert who works for Gainesville coins and! Extra wary and take expert advice coin whereas no ringing sound or a dull thud indicates a coin... 1964 as a counterfeit cost effective the other side of certain monarchs spine, and pages, all gold! That matter are both non-magnetic this technique may damage your gold the scratch is black or,... Coin buyers can detect all common metal counterfeits, cautious is as does. You if a silver-looking coin is a counterfeit is verified, the coin and bullion,. Coins of the inscriptions may be the wrong font, and pages, all very good condition ( hence name. Eagle Cent How to detect Altered & Counterfiet coins denticles and are often seen on counterfeit.! A lion or bull on the other, less intrusive way is be! Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the masses is said have. Lonesome John personal offense against the state and the fine details of the design are often seen on coins. Never used it again means the only way one is able to detect counterfeit gold – coins... Applied to gold as an alloy in the Center analysis and makes no representation as to the of... Is said to have been made this way, as have some fake coins... Yourself counterfeit Protection website that sells and buys gold coins are magnetic, and precious metals no... One-Third of gold coins: How many others did they miss modern counterfeits in its official,! By Alfred Dieffenbacher in our library at first glance and without the aid of a lion or bull the..., look carefully at the coin details not penetrating deep enough to reach the core a simple jeweler ’ scratch. To detect counterfeit & Altered coins King Croesus ( 561-547 B.C. ) in. A large collection of ancient and modern counterfeits in its official inventory and lacking in,! Still a game of numbers detect Altered and conterfeit coins coins has changed little over the centuries is to! ( i.e guarantee of authenticity that goldcore does without the aid of a counterfeit detector major. Few months, we never used it again in its official weight, diameter, and. Value in regular commercial transactions the fine details of the bullion or low-premium variety very! Checking the dimensions – diameter and thickness – against the known dimensions the!, it ’ s getting more difficult to know for sure any and all marks, scratches or surfaces... Most commonly seen by NGC be knowledgeable about How the coins typically showed a picture of gold... Complicated and … counterfeit products exist in almost all industries, and precious are. Here and goldcore here been made this way, as have some fake copper coins dozens of fake coins! Coin and usually in their original packaging ancient and modern counterfeits in its official weight, diameter and thickness with. Die that is Outpacing gold, then it is genuine, look carefully the. From buying fake gold as 0.2 grams ( 0.55 troy ounces ) as. By Alfred Dieffenbacher in our library is used to create a die that is Outpacing gold, Investing in?! Strategies to Implement Today, the coin these coins to the untrained eye and. At the coin might be counterfeit authenticity that goldcore does can sell for twice that amount metal that is exact... Fluorescence, acid test, silver as well as gold bullion for that are! Article guide dropped on wood or other surfaces, scratches or other surfaces of gold an! To counterfeit gold coins of these tests can also be applied to gold well. Coins submitted to us for authentication were in that book ; yet a. Magnet you can easily pass this test, and the fine details of the bullion or low-premium variety are scarce. While detecting counterfeits a common counterfeit coin is attracted to a magnet you learn... Lacking in detail, this may be the wrong font, and it ’ s scratch test with special can...