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As I've been scouting flea markets and pawn shops for silver, I'm interested in building a pocket kit for non-destructive silver tests. Acid test is awesome, I know, but even an honest dealer isn't going to have me file into a silver eagle. I can think of five tests, and I'm hoping it won't take too much time when checking the coins.

Please share your suggestions; this is what I'm planning so far:

Magnet -- Tool: Rare Earth Magnet ($8)
If it sticks, throw it away. Silver should have very slight repulse when magnet is close. Candidate: http://amzn.com/B001KV38ES

Ring -- Tools: Ear, Silver Eagle ($30), Clad Ike Dollar ($1), Copper Penny ($0.01)
This is my favorite test; it just seems so elegant. Balance the suspect coin on my finger and strike with the copper penny. If it's sweet-like-silver-bells-on-Christmas then I proceed. If my ear needs a refresher, I listen to the difference between a true Silver Eagle and a Clad Ike Dollar (they both ring but the sound is much different).

Appearance -- Tool: Jeweler's Loupe ($5)
Silver Eagles in particular have very nice detail, and a 30x view should help find a fake. Candidate: http://amzn.com/B001T4OWZ0

Measurement -- Tool: Jeweler's Caliper ($6)
While the fakes have put a lot of attention on weight and diameter, it looks like they are trying to hide the extra base metal in the coin's thickness. I would measure diameter and thickness and compare to accepted values. Candidate: http://amzn.com/B0036ZW6TY

Mass -- Tool: Scale with 0.01 g sensitivity and at least 50 g max ($9), Calibration weight ($4)
One troy oz is 31.10g so the scale has to be able to handle at least that. I may get a larger scale for home if I buy larger bars, but that's off topic. Candidates: http://amzn.com/B0012LOQUQ & http://amzn.com/B000EG6T0A

I already have the coins, so $29 on this other stuff is the same price I'd lose if I bought one fake silver eagle. I just hope whipping out this equipment doesn't intimidate sellers or make them try to stick me with a higher price. Probably possible to still pick up a really good fake, but I'm not sure what else to try.

Bring a direct fit air -tite, coins that are made of plated brass need to be larger to weigh 1oz. See if it fits.
Do you have a smart phone? If you do, download a frequency tuner app. Use it as you ping the ASE, real 1oz silver coins ring at 3780hz +/-1%.
(I have tried this with ASE's and Fiji takus, both .999 1oz) Android users can download a bullion tester app that does this in a nice package.
I have the magnet Nate sells on Copper Cave - if you place an ASE on a counter and move the magnet over it closely, you can get the magnet to push the coin in the direction the magnet is traveling.

wjruth wrote:Bring a direct fit air -tite, coins that are made of plated brass need to be larger to weigh 1oz. See if it fits.
Do you have a smart phone? If you do, download a frequency tuner app. Use it as you ping the ASE, real 1oz silver coins ring at 3780hz +/-1%.
(I have tried this with ASE's and Fiji takus, both .999 1oz) Android users can download a bullion tester app that does this in a nice package.
I have the magnet Nate sells on Copper Cave - if you place an ASE on a counter and move the magnet over it closely, you can get the magnet to push the coin in the direction the magnet is traveling.

Thanks for the suggestions. I got some equipment and will test over the summer. I was relying on my ear for the ring test, but I can try the Android app.

Fisch scales are excellent. If it passes the fisch, it's silver. And you can carry one in your pocket easily. They actually give you a little carrying pouch just big enough for the scale(s) you will need to bring, and a pocket guide on how to use them.

Here's a little animation on their site demonstrating how they work:



http://www.thefisch.com/

What about just dropping a silver coin onto a table from about 2"-4" above the surface? The silver coins sound different than non-silver. And the cost is zero!