Anyone can detect counterfeit coins of the United States using five simple and inexpensive tools. This article will explain what are these tools and how to use them to protect against forgeries of counterfeit notes and coins.
You can use a simple magnet for exclude many Chinese counterfeit coins made because some 70% of all counterfeit coins from China are produced with iron based diskettes (coin blanks). Since there was always just a single U.S. circulating coins which should be attracted to a magnet (penny 1943 steel), virtually any U.S. currency which adheres to a magnet is counterfeit.
How to use:You will need a strong magnet to detect small amounts of iron. Keep the magnets near currency and see if they attract, even a little. If the magnet sticks to a U.S. currency, the currency is virtually certain to be a hoax. (Note that Canada has used steel coin in their spaces for decades, so that this test is meaningless for many Canadian coins).
Many Chinese counterfeiters use scrap metal to make their money spaces. Consequently, the coins are usually underweight. Coins can also be underweight for other reasons, such as the withdrawal by using cast dies or cast blanks. The Mint US adheres to very tight tolerances for error in diameter and weight, so that any U.S. currency that is off by more than 1% is highly suspect.
How to use:Make sure your scale may weigh in tenth of a gram (0.10) or better. Do not use diet scales weighing grams of all because they are not accurate enough. Place the currency on the scale and then compare your weight to correct known standard weight (see below) for that currency. If it was off by more than 1%, the currency is an alleged infringement.
A clamp is a device that is used to measure the diameter of a coin. The u.s. Mint was extremely precise in making appropriate diameter coins, so any currency that is too small, also a bit, is highly suspect. Counterfeits are often underweight and undersized.
How to use:Slide the jaw gripper closed position and calibrate zero (usually by pressing a "set" or "zero" button.) Then slowly slide JAWS open until they are touching the outer edges of the coin from each other. Make sure that the currency is hugging between the JAWS (but not too tight) and read the result. Compare the measurement known standard US Mint for that currency. If the currency is too small, it's a fake suspicion.
A magnifying glass that has a minimum output of 8 x (8 x magnification, or "power 8") allows you to see the details on the surface of the currency that are invisible to the naked eye. Ideally, you must use an x 10 or slower triplet, that has much greater clarity (but is also more expensive).
How to use:Keep money in a hand and the magnifying glass in another. Move the coin to inspect the surface, looking for signs of bubbles or pimples on the surface, or seams or signs of file on the edge. Try also features normal for that kind of money by comparing a known sample authentic. Commercial space watch or irregular "Soapy" may be a sign of a counterfeit.
In order to determine if measurements in diameter and weight within the US Mint tolerances, you must compare them known U.S. coin specifications. More generic currency price Guides, such as the red book have these specific notice. Although the amount allowable deviation from the specifications of the Mint varies for each type of coin, all tolerances are very, very small. Each coin is a gram underweight or eighth inch too small is the way to tolerance and probably a hoax.
How to use:Weigh and measure the coin you and compare test results to specifications known. If I'm out of more than 1% (too heavy or too light) the currency is an alleged infringement.
