Real or Fake Silver? How to Tell If Your Silver Is Authentic

• Several steps can help determine if a silver piece is real or fake.
• Inspect the coin visually, look at its purity marks, and study its dimensions and weight to authenticate it.
• Perform the magnet, sound, and chemical tests, as well as an XRF analyzer, to verify if a coin is made of silver.

Silver can be an excellent store of value for discerning investors, but even the savviest investors can get hoodwinked out of their hard-earned dollars if they can’t tell the difference between fake and real silver coins.

Fortunately, as a highly rated Tier 1 precious metals dealer with over 50 years of in-house experience, we’re well-versed in spotting fake coins – and empowering investors to do the same.

In this guide, we explore how to tell the difference between real and fake silver so that you don’t lose your investment due to a counterfeit silver purchase. Remember that you can easily contact us by phone or email if you need extra guidance before you make a purchase. Let’s dig in!

Look Closely at the Coin in Question

Fake silver bullion coins are becoming more and more sophisticated, frequently mocking the feel and look of authentic silver pieces. 

Understanding how to determine a silver coin’s authenticity can help silver coin investors and collectors protect their investments while preserving the integrity of silver coins for years to come. Here are a few steps for authenticating a silver coin.

Color and Luster

Authentic silver features a metallic and bright yet slightly white sheen. True silver coins reflect light evenly, while counterfeit silver can be too dull or overly glossy.

Precision in the Design

Real silver coins have precise designs, including symmetrical spacing, sharp edges, and consistent fonts. Phony silver coins may feature off-center images, blurred designs, or uneven print. 

Place the coin you want to buy beside one you know is genuine to determine if you see any of the above-mentioned differences. Even seemingly minor differences can expose a fake silver coin.

Study the Coin’s Dimensions and Weight

Use a caliper and a digital scale to determine if a silver coin is counterfeit. The caliper will help you measure for thickness and diameter, while the scale will help confirm the coin’s weight.

Authentic silver coins have specific known diameters, so use the caliper to determine if your questionable coin’s diameter matches these specs. An American Silver Eagle bullion coin’s diameter is 40.6 mm, for instance.

Use a Scale If Necessary

The scale will help you pinpoint if the silver coin in question weighs 31.103 grams (a troy oz), which is the exact weight of a real 1 oz coin. Even the slightest deviation could point to plating or the presence of base metals.

Fake silver coins made using lighter metals, such as zinc or aluminum, will be lighter than 31.103 grams on the scale. Those made from heavier metals, such as lead, may surpass this weight.

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Perform the Magnet Test

Test the coin in question using a neodymium magnet. If the magnet attracts the coin, it’s probably made of a base metal like steel or nickel – not silver. Real silver coins aren’t magnetic.

Keep in mind that some con artists use alloys that aren’t magnetic, like stainless steel, to mimic the properties of silver. Be sure to perform this test along with the other steps in this guide to accurately authenticate a coin.

Conduct the Sound Test

Perform the ping test to determine if a silver coin is fake or real. Hold the coin in question gently and tap another metal item against it.

A fake coin sounds short or dull, while an authentic silver coin produces a sustained, high-pitched ring.

Complete the Chemical Test

Perform an acid test to determine if a silver coin is counterfeit. Place a nitric acid drop (usually a solution of 10%) on the coin and examine its reaction. Fake silver might turn black or green, indicating base metals like zinc or copper. Authentic silver will turn a creamy white.

Note that the acid may damage a coin’s surface. Perform this test only on non-numismatic (lacking historical or collectible value) or bullion pieces (metal pieces valued for their purity and metal content).

Wear eye protection and gloves when performing the test.

Use an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer

Scan your suspicious coin with an XRF analyzer to determine its composition. It can instantly tell you if you have a fake or real silver coin since it detects trace metals and silver content.

The XRF analyzer test is among the most non-destructive yet accurate tests available. An XRF analyzer can be found through a coin dealer, precious metal appraiser, pawn shop, or jeweler.

Examine Purity Markers

Look for a purity mark on the coin in question. Pure silver should have a mark indicating it is 99.9% silver. Sterling silver is only 92.5% silver, while older coins are often 90% silver. 

Note that counterfeiters may stamp phony purity marks on coins or mimic hallmarks with casting or laser engraving, so don’t use a coin’s purity mark as definitive proof. Perform the other steps outlined in this guide for accurate authentication.

Let Us Help You Distinguish Real Silver From Counterfeit Silver 

If you’re struggling to determine if a coin is fake or real silver, or if you have additional questions about silver, contact us at Endeavor Metals, your leading precious metals dealer, for a free consultation. 

We sell physical silver, gold, and other precious metals both in-store and online. Our precious metals are available in the form of numismatics (rare coins with value above and beyond the base value of the precious metal), bullion bars, and coins. 

We also provide top-tier brokerage services, where we help clients set up Precious Metals IRAs. Through us, you can purchase IRA-approved precious metals and store them in your retirement account.

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With a 4.9 Google star rating, we’ve earned a strong reputation for consistently meeting our customers’ needs and educating them on the best investment products.

‍Preserve your wealth or add beauty and value to your coin collection by contacting us today!