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How to Identify a Worn Coin

Worn coins may be difficult to identify and date because some or parts of images may be obscured. Using a handheld magnifying lens or a coin-collecting microscope will help to examine the coin more closely, and help clean it if it's dirty. Plastic-tipped tongs are beneficial for handling worn coins to reduce the risk of more damage to the coin. Once the coin has been examined, you can start to look at ways to identify it.

Things You'll Need

Coin-collecting microscope
Plastic-tipped coin tongs
Handheld magnifying lens

Instructions

- 1
  Check that the coin has a denomination (value) written on it. If it doesn't it may be a medallion not a coin.
- 2
  Decipher the date and country of origin, if possible. This will help you narrow down your coin search to a specific coin catalog.
- 3
  Borrow a catalog from your local library. For identifying world coins, the Krause Series of World Coins is useful. Four main catalogs each cover a different century, from the 20th to the 17th. Coins are listed with illustrations and prices. Or, if you know what country the coin came research in a specialized coin catalog for that country.
- 4
  Check the metal of the coin. It used to be that coins were made of what they looked like. Gold coins would be real gold, and silver coins were made of real silver. Presently, a gold coin is made of nickel-brass, a silver one of cupro-nickel, and a bronze one either of bronze or copper-plated steel.
- 5
  Weigh the coin. Weight is listed next to all coins in catalogs. Plus, the weight will tell you what the coin is made of. For example a heavy gold coin will probably be genuine gold, but a lighter one will be made out of nickel-brass.
- 6
  Magnetize the coin if possible. If it sticks to the magnet it is made out of steel with probably a copper coating. Measure the diameter and thickness, also noted in coin catalogs.
- 7
  Note if your coin has a portrait. Try to figure out who this is once you have found out the country of origin and date. The portrait will probably be of the leader of the time. Some coins do not have a portrait on them. Look for symbols on the coin that may be national emblems and identify them in Krause. If there are foreign dates or numerals, translate them to the Western calendar using Krause.
- 8
  Enter into a search engine the inscription on your coin in quotation marks. It may come up with your coin.
- 9
  Take the coin to your local museum curator if you are still unsure. This is always preferable to emailing or phoning, as the curator can hold the coin and examine it himself, and perhaps identify it more quickly.
- 10
  Show your coin to a local coin dealer, but expect to pay a fee.

Coin Collecting