Numismatists guide on how to identify forged gold coins

A lot of fake gold coins look the same as the genuine ones. You can’t spot the deception without the help of a magnifying glass. A lot of forged gold coins also look fake due to poorly made imitations.

However, gold coin numismatists should be warned that a lot of counterfeit gold bullion coins are circulated in the market today. Collecting gold coins is what most collectors’ dream of. The beauty and the value of gold coins can make a generous profit. Fake coin makers have evolved over time. Gold coins of today are sometimes mixed with other metal like alloy to make it more durable.

Now that you have an idea that not all that glitters is gold, how can you identify if it is fake? Read the list below to find out.

First sign that a coin is fake is the quality of the metal used. These coins may appear too shiny or sometimes it looks dull. The color is noticeable since a fake gold coin has another metal for a base. It can also have a grainy texture.

If you spot a Double Eagle coin that looks flecked or mottled on the surface, it is probably a fake gold bullion with a copper metal as base. There are also plenty of counterfeit medieval gold coins like the Tudor Angels and Half Angels.

The forged coin lacks markings (e.g., .999 gold) and has a lesser weight. Because a counterfeit gold coin weighs lighter, it does not give a distinctive “ring” when strike against another gold coin, or when dropped on a hard surface.

Fake gold coins usually are made up of two separate sides. Both sides are then soldered or brazed together. Some counterfeit coins are just glued together that a seam can be seen on the coin’s rim.

Researching about gold coins is really necessary. Some counterfeit gold coins have non-existent mintmarks and dates. One example is gold sovereigns from 1918 to 1925 when in fact, the London Mint did not issue any sovereign coins at that period.

Gold coins will resist oxidation and will not corrode when dipped in inorganic acids since it is made of noble metals. Forged gold coins dissolve on nitric or sulfur acid. But, using this acid test on a genuine gold coin will devalue it.

Certified coin dealers and expert numismatists can tell you if you have are counterfeit or fake gold coins. Remember; only buy gold coins from certified numismatic experts.