- 1). Learn as much as you can about the specific coin type. Often, if you know what kind of coin you are looking at, you can find out the composition of the coin by looking in a coin price guide.
- 2). Examine the color of the coin. If you cannot identify the coin by type, color is often a good way to tell if a coin may be gold. The color of gold coins range from gold to a brownish-bronze. However, color is in no way a definite indicator of a coin being gold.
- 3). Look for any markings that tell the content of the coin. On some coins (mostly newer gold coins), the gold percentage is written on the coin itself.
- 4). Talk to a dealer. If you have still not determined whether the coin is gold or not, you should talk to an experienced dealer about the coin. While they may not always know exactly what type of coin you have, they are experts in the world of coins and they should be able to point you in the right direction.
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