Coins & BullionCounterfeit Detection: A Field Guide for Buyers Without a Lab
You do not need an XRF machine to spot 95% of counterfeit bullion. A scale, calipers, magnet, and a good ear catch the vast majority of fakes.
May 10, 2026
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Coins & Bullion
Coins & BullionWhy Some Coins Cost 10x Their Metal Content: Numismatic Premiums Explained
A numismatic premium is the price above melt that a coin commands due to rarity, condition, history, or demand. Here is how to evaluate whether a premium is justified.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionThe Sheldon Scale Decoded: What MS-65, PR-70, and AU-58 Actually Mean
The Sheldon scale runs from 1 to 70, but the meaningful grading distinctions sit in a much narrower band. Here is what each number really represents.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionPre-1933 US Gold: Saint-Gaudens, Liberty Heads, and the Confiscation Premium
Pre-1933 US gold coins occupy a strange middle ground between bullion and numismatics. Here is when the premium is justified and when it is just dealer marketing.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionAuthenticating a Sovereign: The Five Checks That Catch 99% of Fakes
British sovereigns are among the most counterfeited gold coins in the world. Here are the specific checks that separate a genuine 7.98g sovereign from a dangerous fake.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionMaple Leaf vs Britannia: A Detailed Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Both are 0.9999 fine, both come from major mints, and both trade at similar premiums. The differences come down to security features, tax status, and design philosophy.
May 10, 2026
Coins & BullionThe Krugerrand: How a South African Coin Created the Bullion Industry
Before 1967, there was no such thing as a modern bullion coin. The Krugerrand invented the category and remains the cheapest legal gold coin in the world.
May 6, 2026