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How to Tell If an Isabella Quarter Is Fake

The process of minting the Isabella quarter began in 1893 to raise funds for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This striking coin has a depiction of Isabella of Castilla, Queen of Spain and one of the benefactors of Christopher Columbus, dominating the obverse. The other side of the coin shows the figure of a woman crouching with spindle and distaff. This was also the first coin minted in the US to show the portrait of a historical woman.

Things You'll Need

Ruler
Scale
Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Place the coin in question on a flat surface in front of you. Lay a ruler on top of it and measure the middle of the coin. The coin should be exactly 24.3mm. Anything more or less is indicative of a fake.
- 2
  Place the coin on a scale and weigh it. The coin should be exactly 6.25 grams or 0.2205 oz.
- 3
  Hold a magnifying glass over the coin and look at its surface. The un-engraved parts of the coin should be perfectly smooth. Tiny bubbles or other flaws are a sign of a fake.
- 4
  Test the coin to determine if it is silver. Real Isabella quarters are .900 silver and .100 copper. Thus if you hold a magnet near it, the coin should not be attracted to the magnet. However, a fake coin will be attracted to it.
- 5
  Examine the "1893" on the side of the coin that depicts Isabella. Fakes will often have the numbers of the date close together, when actually there is space between each number.

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