How to Know If a Silver Eagle Coin Is Fake?
The American Silver Eagle coin is popular among collectors. It's also the official bullion coin of the United States. It was released by the U.S. Mint in 1986 and is produced at the Philadelphia Mint, West Point Mint and the San Francisco Mint. It's made from one Troy ounce of 99.99% pure silver, which has unfortunately given rise to fakes in the marketplace. However, by making a few careful observations you'll be able to identify a fake.
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Instructions
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Trust your instincts. If, after handling the coin, something feels amiss, then it's best not to purchase the supposed Silver Eagle coin.
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Determine the weight of the Silver Eagle coin. A genuine coin weighs 31.10 grams. Fakes are either heavier or lighter, as they are usually only silver-plated.
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3
Study both surfaces of the Silver Eagle coin. They should have soft silver sheen. Fakes often have very shiny or dull surfaces. Examine the date on the coin. Genuine Silver Eagle coins were minted starting in 1986. Fake coins are often stamped with a date prior to 1986.
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Know the measurements of a Silver Eagle coin. A genuine coin has a thickness of 2.98 millimeters and a diameter of 40.60 millimeters. Fake Silver Eagle coins vary in size and thickness.
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Examine the edge of the coin. The Silver Eagle coin is reeded and should have a total of 201 reeds around the circumference in a continuous pattern. Fakes may not be have reeded edges or you may be able to spot a seam where the face of the coin meets the edge.
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Do a sound test. When you tap a Silver Eagle coin with another coin, you should hear a distinctive "ring" sound. Hold the coin by the edge and tap it with another coin and listen to the sound it makes. Then compare the sound with a regular coin. Do you notice a difference? Do you hear the ring?
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