How to Verify Your Bullion: Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices
Share on:When buying silver or gold bullion, authenticity is everything. Counterfeits can look convincing, but a careful buyer has several tools and methods to confirm a coin or bar is genuine. In this article, we’ll go through a combination of professional and simple at-home techniques—using Canadian Silver Maple Leafs as an example—so you can protect your investment.
1. Weight Test
Example: In the image above, a 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf is placed on a precision digital scale. The reading shows 31.102 g, which matches the official specification for a 1 troy ounce coin.
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How to do it:
- Use a digital scale with at least 0.01 g accuracy.
- Compare the reading to the official mint specifications. Our Precious Metals Manager app also offers a catalog with the weight, but it’s recommend to double check this measure with the official mint site.
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Pros:
- Quick and inexpensive.
- Easily rules out obvious fakes.
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Cons:
- Some counterfeit coins use tungsten or other metals to match weight.
- Must be paired with other tests for certainty.
2. Dimensions Check
Example: In the image above, the caliper shows the diameter of the coin as 38.0 mm, matching the Royal Canadian Mint’s specifications.
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How to do it:
- Use a digital caliper to measure diameter and thickness.
- Compare with official mint data.
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Pros:
- Detects coins that are overweight or underweight due to incorrect dimensions.
- Low cost.
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Cons:
- Skilled counterfeiters may match both weight and size.
- Requires accurate measuring tools.
3. Precious Metal Verifier
Example: In the image above a Sigma Metalytics is used. It uses electrical resistivity to confirm the coin’s composition without damaging it. The readings fall within the bracket for .9999 fine silver, confirming authenticity.
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Pros:
- Non-destructive, reliable, and fast.
- Works through packaging, so you can test sealed bullion.
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Cons:
- High initial cost.
- Less effective on very small or oddly shaped pieces without wands.
- Harder to carry around
4. Magnet Test
Silver and gold are non-magnetic, so a strong neodymium magnet can help detect counterfeits.
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How to do it: Tilt a coin and slide the magnet along its surface. Real silver will cause the magnet to slide slowly due to eddy currents, not stick or drop instantly.
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Pros:
- Cheap and easy.
- Detects many plated steel fakes instantly.
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Cons:
- Won’t detect high-quality tungsten-based fakes.
- Requires a strong magnet.
5. Ping (Sound) Test
When tapped, pure silver and gold coins produce a clear, ringing tone. Counterfeits often sound dull.
- Pros: Free, quick, and surprisingly effective.
- Cons: Requires a trained ear and practice.
6. Visual Inspection
Look for:
- Sharp, high-quality details in the strike.
- Correct font, alignment, and spacing.
- Surface finish consistent with mint-issued coins.
Using a loupe or microscope can reveal surface inconsistencies that betray a fake.
7. Advanced Methods (for high-value verification)
- XRF Analyzer: Identifies the exact metal composition. Very accurate but expensive.
- Specific Gravity Test: Compares weight in air and water to detect density mismatches.
Recommended Approach
For maximum confidence, combine multiple methods:
- Weight + Dimensions – catches most low-effort fakes.
- Magnet Test – quickly eliminates plated steel fakes.
- Electronic Verifier – confirms metal content.
- Visual Inspection – final sanity check.
If you are buying high-value bullion, especially from an unfamiliar seller, consider having it professionally tested or only purchasing from reputable dealers.
Precious Metals Manager to track your verified bullion
You can use the Precious Metals Manager app to track which bullion has already been verified. It’s as simple as creating a bullion item, and tapping the “Verified” button on the “Item Details” screen—either within an order or from the “Inventory” tab.
Overview
| Tool / Device | Approx. Cost | How It Works | Pros | Cons | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Digital Scale | $15–$50 | Measures coin/bar weight to 0.01 g or better | Quick, inexpensive, easy to use | Some fakes match weight with denser metals; needs other tests | High |
| Digital Caliper | $10–$30 | Measures diameter and thickness | Detects size mismatches; low cost | High-quality fakes may match size; requires precise handling | High |
| Sigma Metalytics PMV (Precious Metal Verifier) | $800–$1,500 | Uses electrical resistivity to test through surface | Non-destructive, works through packaging, reliable | High initial cost; less effective on tiny/odd shapes without attachments; less portable | Medium |
| Neodymium Magnet | $5–$15 | Detects magnetism / eddy current effect | Very cheap, quick, catches plated steel instantly | Won’t detect tungsten-based fakes; requires strong magnet | High |
| Ping (Sound) Test App / Manual | Free–$5 | Listens to ringing tone frequency | Free or very cheap; quick | Requires trained ear or phone app; may be less reliable in noisy environments | High |
| Loupe / Microscope | $10–$100 | Magnifies details for visual inspection | Reveals strike detail, surface finish issues | Requires knowledge of genuine coin details | High |
| XRF Analyzer | $10,000+ | Analyzes metal composition via X-ray fluorescence | Extremely accurate, instant | Very expensive; requires operator knowledge | Low |
| Specific Gravity Kit | $20–$50 | Compares weight in air vs water to find density | Low cost, reliable for many metals | Requires removing coin from capsule; can be messy | Medium |
Bottom line: No single test is foolproof, but when used together, these methods make it extremely difficult for counterfeit bullion to pass undetected.