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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;iPen, post: 2303843, member: 69760&quot;]Most of my coins are in black ring air-tites or slabs.</p><p><br /></p><p>I use a rare earth magnet as one way to tell, since the (typically) copper balance is paramagnetic. It will draw a slight attraction, noticeable when using an N52 magnet. It&#039;s the fastest way to tell one aspect of the silver coin&#039;s authenticity - silver plating over ferrous or paramagnetic metals/alloys. </p><p><br /></p><p>I also weigh the coins. If it passes those first two tests, I search for high quality images of a known authentic coin and compare the two. Any suspicious areas I use a 30x-300x microscope to see what&#039;s going on. I also ask here on the forums to test my assumptions and findings, as well as to research details on the &#039;net. </p><p><br /></p><p>Sending it off to the TPGs would be the very last step, and I&#039;ve never had to do that (!), but I will for these 2 coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m in Chicagoland.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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