Blog
Insights, guides, and updates on coin authentication and counterfeit detection.
The Counterfeit Coin Epidemic: What Every Collector and Investor Needs to Know in 2026
Millions of fake gold and silver coins flood the market annually from sophisticated counterfeiting operations. Learn the scale of the problem, the most counterfeited coins, and how to protect yourself.
How to Test a Silver Coin at Home: 7 Easy Methods
Learn how to authenticate silver coins at home with simple tests. Magnet slide test, ice test, ping test, and more - protect yourself from fake silver coins.
The Physics Behind the Ping Test: Why Fake Coins Sound Different
Understand the acoustic science that makes the coin ping test work. Learn about resonance frequencies, material properties, and why counterfeiters can't fake the sound of real gold and silver.
Comparison of All Coin Testing Methods: Which Detects What?
A comprehensive breakdown of every counterfeit coin detection method—what each tests, their costs, accuracy, and when to use them together for maximum confidence.
The Complete Guide to Coin Ping Testing: Detect Counterfeits in Seconds
Learn how the coin ping test works, why genuine gold and silver produce distinctive sounds, and how Pingcoin's app uses acoustic science to authenticate your precious metals.
5 Signs Your Silver Eagle Might Be Fake (And How to Know for Sure)
Learn the telltale signs of counterfeit American Silver Eagles and discover simple tests you can do at home to verify authenticity. Protect your investment with these expert detection tips.
The 5 Types of Fake Gold Coins You Need to Know About
From crude cast fakes to sophisticated tungsten-core counterfeits — learn how counterfeiters make fake gold coins and how to protect yourself from each type.
The 6 Types of Fake Silver Coins: How to Identify Each One
From magnetic steel fakes to convincing copper-nickel forgeries — learn how counterfeiters make fake silver coins and the tests that catch each type.
Do High Relief Coins Alter Resonance Frequencies?
High relief coins feature dramatic three-dimensional designs that change mass distribution. How does this affect the ping test—and can these coins still be authenticated acoustically?
How to Buy Gold Coins Safely at Estate Sales: A Complete Guide
Estate sales can be gold mines — literally. Learn how to find authentic gold coins, spot fakes, negotiate prices, and protect yourself from common pitfalls.
How to Test a Gold Coin at Home: 8 Methods to Spot Fakes
Learn 8 reliable ways to test if your gold coin is real — from the simple ping test to magnet checks, density calculations, and more. No expensive equipment required.
Sigma vs Pingcoin: Do You Really Need a $1,500 Verifier?
Compare Sigma Metalytics verifiers ($1,500+) with Pingcoin ($29/year). Learn when expensive equipment is worth it and when a smartphone app delivers the same peace of mind.
Why Does the Silver Maple Leaf Ping Sound Like a "Dink"?
The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf produces a distinctively short, muted ping compared to other silver coins. The physics behind this behavior reveals something important about material science—and why it does not indicate a problem.
Is Counterfeiting Getting Easier? The Evidence Suggests Otherwise
While replication technology advances, the multi-layered physical constraints of coin authentication may be tilting the advantage toward detection.
The Math Behind Our Pricing
A breakdown of the value proposition behind Pingcoin's pricing.