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 Replies: 7 / Views: 3,933 |
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Valued Member
Philippines
156 Posts |
I know this has been asked so many times but I didn't mind it as I am not yet interested in collecting silver coins..Now, that I am getting interested in collecting silver coins, I just want to ask how would you know that a coin is really a silver coin? Especially if you're somewhat doubtful to the seller's honesty..  Thanks.. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
crzy3by,
The most telling characteristic of 90% silver coins is the sound it makes when lightly dropped (careful not to damage the coin). You can test this yourself if you have access to U.S. silver coins and clad coinage (pre and post 1964). Another characteristic is it's white color compared to composite metals (hard to tell with toning). There are chemical tests that I personally don't recommend for collector coins due to the damage done to the coin to collect a test sample. And probably the best method is to use a digital scale and weigh the coin. Although this isn't fool-proof, most counterfeits vary in weight from the genuine item. I weigh all 19th century silver coinage when I have doubts and the counterfeits come up short on the weight.
Is the coin(s) you are interested in Philippine coinage or U.S.?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1360 Posts |
crzy3by,
If you can balance the silver coin on its rim and gently tap it with a pencil you will be able to hear the distinctive silver "ring". If it doesn't have that ring, it isn't silver. Apart from that, you could perform various chemical tests, but who knows what effect they would have upon your coin!
Snooba.
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Valued Member
 Philippines
156 Posts |
SeatedNut, I am interested both in Philippine and U.S. coins  Snooba, I just want to ask where should I do the "tapping"? What would be best, wooden table or plastic table.. and what is the distinctive silver ring? I'm sorry if I am too ignorant.. Thanks..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
crzy3by, Take a genuine silver coin and a clad/non-silver coin on a wooden table. You'll hear the distinct difference in sound. The silver will sound like a bell ... the clad/non-silver like a sack of potatoes hitting the floor. I have gotten silver quarters back as change in vending machines as recently as last year. I didn't have to look at the coin to tell ... as soon as it hit the coin return slot, I knew.  |
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Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Well... as far as American coins go... there's a simpler way, without risking damaging the coins. If you just turn the coin and look at the side, you'll be able to see the difference between silver and modern coins... modern coins have a copper band through the middle, and it looks kinda like an Oreo cookie. Pretty obvious. If it's solid, then it's probably silver, unless it's forged. Another telling feature, is of course the date. all quarters and dimes from 1964 and back are silver. Kennedy half dollars from 1964 are silver, and through 1971 are 40% (or was it 60?) silver as well. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Midnight Fenrir your suggestion is fine for determining if its clad or silver, but where he is located there are allot of forgeries and doesn't really apply for counterfeit coins which are made of different metals than their silver counterparts (original coins). As was said the silver coin will ring almost like a bell, the clad or other metal will make kind of a thug sound and have no ring to it, once you do a couple coins you will know exactly what to listen for because its as different as night and day
Edited by Bryan1315
10/03/2007 9:03 pm
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Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Ah... Heh, I'm not too familiar with the idea of forging coins... so it wasn't the first thing that popped into my head.
Yeah, there's a definite sound difference between the two... I was standing at my checkout, and a customer came through, he dropped the change he was digging out and it fell to the floor. I knew right away they were silver, and he stopped, looked at them for a few moments, then shrugged and paid me with them... heh, heh, score. Got 3 silver quarters out of that one.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 3,933 |
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Posted 08/16/2007 01:15 am
