Im so paranoid, how can i test my silver when i get it?

Im trading some of my junk silver for a 10oz perth mint year of the dragon coin, im getting a fair deal. This guy has a good reputation and has done lots of trades with others so I know he wouldn't purposely sell fake silver if he knew it was fake, but when I do get the 10oz coin how do I test it without damaging it and removing the capsule? please help.

 

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Good question. Don't bite it........

 

Ok I will not do that !

 

You do understand that a 'soft' precious metal was sometimes authenticated by a mere 'bite' by the receiver? More indicative to gold than silver though,,,,,,

 

Yes I do understand that's why some jewelry I see with gold has small teeth . ( gold is soft )

 

In my opinion the easiest way to test silver is by using a stone and 18k gold test. Though this won't help much if it is silver plated.

 

A non-damaging test will cost almost as much as the coin. I guess its trust.

Jim

 

Best bet I know is to studies coins.

That is the huge advantage of buying a coin versus a bar. You can check specs which need to exactly match.

 

When you get your coin can you post a pic of it so I can drool over it? I'm odd I collect coins with Dragons on them.

You don't normally test those as you reduce their value & scratch tests are only the outside. Weigh the coin is one way also measuring it's width will tell you too.

 

I agree, but I also make sure I have the most current Red book, they give you all of the information needed for almost every US coin (Weight, composition, Diameter, edge type, mint locations, common errors, locations of mint marks.. etc). That and a good digital scale and you can usually tell if it is a fake. Every metal has a certain density and there fore every metal has a certain weight per mass. So if someone was to make a fake mold and lest say make a nickel Morgan, then plate it with silver your weight would be way off. Also there are a lot of commemorative coins made that look like the originals, but most do say "COPY" somewhere on them. If they are tampered with you usually will see some kind of odd marks, scratches or even mismatched color areas where the word "COPY" was masked over. Just buy carefully, a deal too good to be true is not a true deal!!! Can not go wrong!!
Can not go wrong!!
Usually good to go, but weigh it!!
These are the ones to watch for!!! They are too good to be true!!! Very nice reproductions of the originals, but you will never see a real Morgan of this quality (Modern proof).
inexpensive foreign made Commemorative.
Be careful with these Spanish mil/ Pillar coins (1, 2, 4, 8 & cut up Reales) there are a lot of fakes.
Do your research before you buy, and if you buy at auction, make sure they have a full refund policy!! If you get your winning coin and have it checked, if any doubts RETURN IT!!
I have done it with a lot of Morgan Dollars, they say that they are MS-PL ++ and you get it and look at it with a loop and see all kinds of hair line scratches after paying $1200.00 or more, I RETURN IT plane and simple!!!!
I did it with this very coin!! When I got it and looked at it with a loop, it showed that someone tried to clean it, it left very fine hair lines all around the coin on both sides. A real true Morgan dollar in this condition should have a natural "Cartwheel effect" when you look at it in the light and move it. This one did not have original surfaces and did not have the "Cartwheel effect". So I sent it back!! the picture looks nice and the writing... Well any one can write nice things, but are they true?!
I hope this will help you out, best of luck with your collection and enjoy what you get!! I have been collecting for over 40 years, and I still get a thrill when I open a package that comes to me. My current task is finishing my MS70 & PR70 Silver Eagle Set. My next big set will be the 25th Anniversary 5 coin set in MS70 & PR70/SP70/RP70. That is a sure way to make a top of the line collection!! I have all the Raw ungraded ones and the Government packaged Proof and Uncirculated ones and even some MS69 & PR69. I just completed my 2013 MS70, PR70/RP70/SP70/and the new Enhanced Proof 70 for 2013. Just as a note, the Silver Eagle Bullion can be used for a Roth IRA and the same is true for Gold Bullion coins!! So you can collect them and deduct them on your taxes for Roth IRA deductions!!
This is the set. They look like they are painted!!

 

Interesting you say that about an 1878-cc I was at an auction about a year ago with a bunch of coins and there were 3 of them and they had the same off color as yours I questioned whether they were real I looked at them for at least 10 min and still wasn't 100% positive if they were real and had been cleaned or they were really good sophisticated fakes I've seen a couple other 78 cc Morgan's other than yours since with the same off color and am not sure whether someone cleaned a whole bag of them 30 years ago or the Chinese are getting scary good the 78 cc is the only date I've seen this off color and surface on too

 

Its very easy using the magnet slide test. Look it up on YouTube.

 

Does the slide test work with the coin still in the capsule? The OP doesn't want to remove it.

 

I just went and tested and the answer is yes. I am using a 1/2" round x 1/4" thick N50 rare earth magnet like this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Strong-1...506?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53fa75e372

 

Use powerful neodymium magnets.. or, the slide test might not work.
If you're willing to carefully open the capsule, a digital scale & digital calipers to weigh & measure the coin to compare to mint specifications. Should be dead on or very close to Mint specs. Finally, having access to a genuine coin, or hi-rez detailed images (both sides) of a legit coin for comparison (details in image, font style,size, spacing should match perfectly).

 

If you are that paranoid, you should probably stay away from rounds and bars. Stick with ASEs, maples etc.

 

Here is an interesting ad in the local CraigList. A person or company bought a XRF spectroscope and is doing mineral/metal ID and %. The prices for testing is very reasonable, buy a 10 sample ticket and it is only $100 for while you wait. I have no connection or knowledge other than the ad, although I am familiar with the device.

http://imperial.craigslist.org/grq/3974357422.html

 

Does that work subsurface? Detect plating?

 

I inquired with a local person who does XRF testing and he told me XRF is not totally fool-proof technology because a sufficiently thick surface coating can block Xrays from penetrating into the interior. He combines with specific gravity test to increase confidence.

He also said most fake rounds are silver plated steel. XRF can see through this type of electroplate, but, magnet would also work.

 

isnt there also a 'tissue test' or something along those lines, based on how/if the coin appears through the tissue? I dont remember the specifics, but I think I remember reading about it.