How do you tell if a gold coin is real gold?

tlhoy

My stepfather gave my wife a bunch of 1/10 ounce $5 gold eagles.
How do I tell if they are real gold without damaging them?
I don't know how or where he got them.
They look good to me but I've never had a gold coin before.
They are not magnetic if that helps.
Here's pictures of a couple of them. They look much better than pictured.
Thanks,
Glenn

ldhair

Most pawn shops have a tester they use before buying or making a loan.

nwcs

Odds are they are real. Specific gravity test is usually the easiest way to tell in a non-destructive way.

Stork

If you have a scale, one should weigh 3.393 grams and have a 16.5 mm diameter. I don't have the thickness measurement handy, but those should get you pretty close. Sounds like a nice step-father!


Cathy

dorkkarl

specific gravity would be the easiest, least-damaging way.

K S

kryptonitecomics

I would say that there is a 99% chance that they are real..........

Conder101

Go with Storks suggestion first a check on weight and diameter will identify most fakes (although there aren't many on UGE's) and if there is still any question a specific gravity test will be the next step.

A pawn brocker may have a text kit for gold but it is a destructive (damaging) test.