Gold coins authenticity

How can I tell if a gold coin is genuine?

To determine whether a gold coin is genuine, you basically need to know its basic characteristics:

Weight,
Diameter and
Thickness.

These three characteristics of each gold coin can be found both partially on our website at the respective products and completely on the websites of the mints that mint these coins.

The weight, diameter and thickness of the coin must all correspond to the reference values at the same time. For example, if a coin with the “correct” weight has a larger diameter or thickness, then it is a fake made from a cheaper metal. The same also applies if, for example, the coin weighs less than the reference value with the “correct” diameter and “correct” thickness.

Examples:

1 Ounce Gold Krugerrand

Weight: 33.93 g

Diameter: 32.77 mm

Thickness: 2.840 mm

1/2 ounce gold Krugerrand

Weight: 16.965 g

Diameter: 27.00 mm

Thickness: 2.215 m

1/4 Ounce Gold Krugerrand

Weight: 8.482 g

Diameter: 22.00 mm

Thickness: 1.888 mm

1/10 Ounce Gold Krugerrand

Weight: 3.393 g

Diameter: 16.50 mm

Thickness: 1.350 mm

Other points that can help you distinguish a real gold coin from a fake:

Magnet test

Gold coins are not magnetic. If there is a slight movement caused by a magnet, the coin is probably a fake. Please note that the coin may also be counterfeited from non-magnetic materials.

Look at text more closely with a magnifying glass

Since the details on a coin are sometimes difficult to see by eye, a magnifying glass is the best way to look at the coin’s minting details. You can take a picture of the gold coin with a cell phone and then enlarge the picture to best see all the small details. Are all minting features present? Are they all correct? For reference, you can always take pictures of the respective coins on the website of the mint.

Proof coins are the most difficult to counterfeit because of their shiny surface, and the 90° angle of the letters in relation to the base is not so easy to copy.

Detailed catalog

A detailed catalog of the world’s gold coins, such as “South African Coins and Patterns 2020” (or another vintage) may help. The trade journals contain detailed descriptions of collectible and bullion coins. The information includes weight, diameter, type of embossing and edge, images on the front and back, physical and chemical properties (alloy, composition).

Electronic scales

Each coin is weighed to the nearest hundredth, so any deviation from the general numbers means it could be a counterfeit.

Fineness

Gold coins bear a standard stamp with the fineness. The content is the number of grams of pure metal in the alloy.

The classic Krugerrand contains a full ounce of fine gold (about 31.103 grams) plus about 2.83 grams of copper (22 carats/91.667%). The remaining 8.34% is copper, which is why the Krugerrand coins have a slightly reddish color. One ounce Krugerrand has a total weight of 33.93 grams and the gold fine weight of the coin is 31.103 grams.

The smell

Gold coins should not have any smell. Even silver has a distinct metallic smell, but gold does not.

Offer pawn shop, jeweler or a precious metal dealer for advice

These specialists have a professional eye for gold and judge the quality of gold not only by eye, but also have special tools for this purpose. For example, a device called “Gold Screen Box” is very good at distinguishing real gold from counterfeits.

Attention! On the Internet you can always find ideas to check the authenticity of gold coins with the help of iodine, vinegar, etc.. We strongly discourage you from doing so. Doing so can cause too much damage to your coin, significantly reducing its value.

Scammers exist in many places

Fraudsters work day and night to produce thousands of counterfeit coins. Here is a top 25 of the most counterfeited world coins: https://www.ngccoin.de/resources/counterfeit-detection/top/world/. They are sold everywhere from flea markets to eBay. In most cases, you should be wary of offers that are too cheap. Or if the price is too low compared to well-known dealers, you’d better be very careful. Most scammers work with such low prices that cannot be obtained on the gold market. No professional trader will sell gold below the world market gold price. If you buy a counterfeit gold coin, you could spend a considerable amount of money for a simple coin made of tungsten that is worth nothing.

The authenticity at RareCoin

Our RareCoin Shop guarantees that all our coins are genuine Mint products. All products are thoroughly tested and verified before they are offered for sale. In addition, each coin is thoroughly examined when it arrives at our office.

We do not buy dubious products, even from verified sellers, in order not to risk our money and your trust. We know where, from whom and what kind of goods we buy, and we are convinced of what we sell.

In the history of our store there has never been a single case of a return because of a counterfeit product.