A novice numismatist or just a layman, into whose hands an old coin fell, is primarily interested in its age and authenticity. Given the huge number of counterfeits that flood the coin market, a collector (or a person who wants to profitably sell an antique item) should either turn to professional appraisers or use the available verification methods.
Instructions
Step 1
Find a numismatic catalog. They are freely available on the Internet, usually on the forums of numismatists. Such catalogs contain the latest information on the types of coins, their values (often with a specific value), as well as photos with detailed descriptions. If a coin similar to yours is declared in the catalog, carefully, ideally using a magnifying glass, compare them to the smallest detail. Antique counterfeits are often rude, so the difference will be noticeable even to a non-professional.
Step 2
Contact the foundry for a specialist to determine if the coin is cast or minted. Most ancient coins are chasing, but modern counterfeits are casting. Depending on the type of metal (in the old days, coins were minted from silver of a different standard), the weight also changes, so be sure to compare the weight of the supposed old coin with the description in the catalog.
Step 3
Examine the coin under a microscope with at least 400x magnification. All the imprints of time will be visible on a genuine antique coin: corrosion, micro-chips, detachment of particles. Professionals use stereo microscopes when inspecting coins, thanks to which they can determine the clarity of the drawing.
Step 4
If it is not possible to determine the authenticity and value of an old coin on your own, try contacting amateur numismatists on specialized forums on the Internet. Please note that no one will give an opinion on a simple description of the coin. Take a photo of the obverse and reverse (front and back of the coin) in macro mode and post them on the forum. Be prepared to be advised to conduct an independent examination in case the coin may be of great collectible value.
Step 5
Order professional expertise with spectral analysis. This method allows you to determine the presence of various metals in the coin alloy and exposes even the highest quality antique fakes. However, it is not cheap and is used mainly when it comes to the rarest specimen.
