Tools for checking and storing gold at home

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Checking

Home checks catch obvious fakes only. For anything valuable, use a dealer or assayer with an XRF analyser.

• A precision scale (0.01 g). Compare the weight with the published spec for that coin or bar. Gold is very dense, so many fakes weigh wrong or are the wrong size for their weight. Search Amazon
• A 10x jeweler's loupe. For reading hallmarks, purity stamps and mint marks, and spotting worn plating. Search Amazon
• A strong neodymium magnet. Gold is not magnetic, so a coin that sticks is fake. A coin that does not stick is not proven real; many fakes use non-magnetic metals. Search Amazon

Storing

• Coin capsules. Protect coins from scratches and fingerprints. Measure the coin's diameter to pick the right size. Search Amazon
• A home safe. Check what the fire rating actually covers; many home safes are rated to protect paper, not to stop a determined thief. Bolting it down helps. Search Amazon

Read

• The Power of Gold by Peter L. Bernstein. A readable history of humanity's obsession with gold. Search Amazon

How we pick

We list simple, widely sold product types and well-known books that fit what we cover. No brand paid to be here, we do not publish ratings or reviews we have not done, and prices change, so always check the seller's page before you buy.