The best way to find out is to check with the mint that produced it. All mints have specifications on their coins. Another is to get a book, but finding foreign coin specifications in a book is not always easy. Finally, check reputable dealers who sell the same coin. If they have one in stock, or occasionally have one available, they probably keep the specifications posted.
Do not rely on sellers who may or may not know what they are selling. Precious metals are specified in troy ounces, considerably heavier that an equal number of ounces or pounds. Some people simply weigh their coins, and unknowingly or dishonestly inflate the weight. Always look for the word “troy” preceding the word ounces or pounds.
The purity also matters. Many coins are sold as silver or gold, but not all have the same purity. In silver, for example, the old United States silver coins are 90% silver. Many coins are minted in “sterling” silver, which is 0.925. Others have strange percentages, often in the mid 80s. If such a coin is merely weighed, it may well be a 1.2 ounce silver coin, but that does not mean it have 1.2 ounces of silver. A similar problem exists with gold. Both silver and gold are too soft to allow minting 100% coins. The most pure silver coins are called “fine” silver, and are at least 0.999 silver. A few are 0.9999, but that extra 9 is insignificant. In gold, look for 24-kt.
The easy way to tell, if you do not have time for a search, is to look at the picture. If it is fine silver, it will so state, or the purity will be stamped right on the coin. Gold bullion coins are traded for their gold content, and most dealers will gladly release the coin’s karat value, or purity.
This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author. Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.
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