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 Replies: 24 / Views: 3,346 |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
Somewhat new to numismatics, I have dabbled in silver and gold and I see some great electronic devices on the market now. When I was just buying a silver coin or two there were lots of ways to verify and avoid fakes. With larger bars, it becomes a matter of trust or test. Devices are not commonly accessible or impractical to own for a small investor such as me.
I was thinking it would be awesome if the local bank or public library had one. So I am posting here to look for opinions, ideas, and options for making it practical for both me and the local community to have easy access to electronic verification test devices. Thoughts?
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
I am unfamiler with a metals tester. About what price range are you talking about  $100's or $1000's? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1156 Posts |
 but are you interested in collecting coins or just coin shaped objects with precious metal content (we have a forum for that). Edited by jgenn
04/11/2018 11:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
I've looked into to it. But I don't buy enough raw coins to justify the price. Besides, I've gotten pretty good at detecting fakes using a combination of tests. The magnet slide test, weight and diameter test, ping test and visual assessment. You can pick up the low end models for around $500. The higher end ones will run you $1,000 to $1,500. And to ccf! Edited by MikeF
04/11/2018 11:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3184 Posts |
Look up sigma tester, they will do the job. You can get them new or used and are reliable.
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New Member
 United States
12 Posts |
I didn't like the lower end models where the guy(s) do videos of their machines that do some tarnishing of the coins which can "clean up with a polishing cloth" sorry, I don't clean my numismatics. The higher end units are about $1000 to $1500 and while I love toys, cannot justify it for myself. Therefore looking for ideas how I could make this work in the community maybe. Planning to approach my local copy shop where they have made an investment in a big 3d printer and see if that tech investment paid off for them. If so, going to ask if he'd be interested in doing the same with a higher end precious metals tester.
The trouble I see with that is that it might put the location at risk for criminal abuse and hard to say I'd take more than one coin in at a time to test.
A bank on the other hand, already caters to privacy for lockboxes, but banks are stingy and unlikely to invest in a public service such as this.
And no, my local coin shops do not actually have testers, or won't say they do.
Edited by Soho
04/12/2018 01:08 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Some of the larger coin shops have them..... and |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
@jgenn, American Eagles are one of the most popular bullion coins and also most counterfeited from my limited knowledge. Would love to collect foreign currencies too, but there lies my greatest fear of counterfeiting - esp. China.
Yes, I mentioned bars, but there are plenty of 5 oz and 10 oz coins of the realm now that are much more attractive than bars. Maple Leafs and Brittanias are awesome coins that make for a superb alternative to rounds and bars. Well, except for Canadian milk spots :P
In any case, I find myself buying at auctions too, but that scares me even with CoAs.
Edited by Soho
04/12/2018 01:26 am
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
@MikeF, I bought a slide last year. Love it. Might have to build a GIANT slide for 5 oz and 10 oz Brit's and Maples. :) JK
Edited by Soho
04/12/2018 01:27 am
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
@Fuzzy317, as mentioned by @mkman123 SigmaMetalytics is cool but pricey at $1500 and GVS Bullion is around $1000 and seems popular in the EU, but is available here in the states.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Ask your local scrap jewelry buyer, or your nearest bullion dealer, to do XRF testing for you.
They may charge a small fee.
Edited by sel_69l
04/12/2018 01:34 am
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Check pawn shops,some of them have a tester. John1  |
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Moderator
United States
34408 Posts |
@soho, first welcome to CCF. Second, I bought a SigmaMetalytics last year. I don't use it a ton, but I really like having the peace of mind to be able to double-check the metal content. If you are unwilling to go it alone, consider joining a coin club--maybe a group of folks can band together?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Spence: emma chisit? (Strine for "How much is it?")
Maybe a few others in the CCF may be interested in buying a hand held XRF testing instrument.
I don't need one, I already have access to one.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I can't see why a library would want one, nor a bank.
Pawn shops are the most likely. If they only charge a small fee to check your items, you could test a LOT of items for $1500.
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
24885 Posts |
To the Forum. |
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Replies: 24 / Views: 3,346 |
Posted 04/11/2018 11:00 pm
