How to Spot Fake Gold and Silver Coins

The most popular bullion coins are also the most counterfeited. Pick a coin to see the genuine coin's official specifications (weight, dimensions, fineness), the mint's security features and the tests you can do at home.

Gold coins

1oz Krugerrand Gold CoinKrugerrandHow to spot a fake ›1oz Maple Leaf Gold CoinGold Maple LeafHow to spot a fake ›1oz American Eagle Gold CoinAmerican Gold EagleHow to spot a fake ›1oz American Buffalo Gold CoinAmerican Gold BuffaloHow to spot a fake ›1oz Britannia Gold CoinGold BritanniaHow to spot a fake ›Gold Vienna PhilharmonicHow to spot a fake ›1oz Kangaroo Gold CoinGold KangarooHow to spot a fake ›

Silver coins

1oz Maple Leaf Silver CoinSilver Maple LeafHow to spot a fake ›1oz American Eagle Silver CoinAmerican Silver EagleHow to spot a fake ›1oz Britannia Silver CoinSilver BritanniaHow to spot a fake ›1oz Vienna Philharmonic Silver CoinSilver Vienna PhilharmonicHow to spot a fake ›1oz Kangaroo Silver CoinSilver KangarooHow to spot a fake ›

Tests that work for any coin

  1. Ping test (works best for silver): gently tap the coin against another coin. Genuine silver rings clearly for a second or two; a fake with a base-metal core sounds short and dull. It works best side by side with a coin you know is genuine.
  2. Look at the coin under a loupe and compare it with a genuine one: sharpness of the design, lettering, edge and the security features listed above.
  3. The most reliable non-destructive test is an electromagnetic or ultrasonic verifier (e.g. Sigma Metalytics). Many dealers have one, so ask them to test the coin when you sell.

No home test is 100% certain. The simplest protection is buying from a known dealer and, if in doubt, having the coin verified by a specialist.