Full Sovereign ✓ Half Sovereign ✓ Quarter Sovereign ✓ - ONE tool.

Using the tester is simple:

1. Place your coin into the matching diameter recess.

2. Insert the coin into the thickness slot to check its width - A genuine coin should pass all the way through to the other side.

3. Weigh the coin using accurate digital jewellery or mini scales (not included) and compare the weight with the values shown on the tester.

4. If the diameter, thickness, and weight all match the specifications outlined on the tester tool, the coin is likely to be genuine.

5. If the coin fails any part of the test, further advanced testing may be necessary.

Understanding the Many Faces of Fake Sovereigns:

Not all counterfeit sovereigns are created equally. Some are relatively easy to identify, while others have been produced to such a high standard that they can deceive even experienced collectors. One of the most common types of real-gold-fakes encountered is the jeweller's copy. These were often manufactured decades ago in 21-carat gold rather than the correct 22-carat standard and were intended for use in jewellery rather than as circulating or investment coins. Although they contain real gold, they are not genuine Royal Mint sovereigns and will differ slightly in weight, diameter, or thickness due to the variation in purity. Our tester has caught these exact fakes on a number of occasions!

Contemporary counterfeits are another category. These are coins produced around the same period as genuine sovereigns with the intention of deceiving merchants or the public. Depending on how they were made, they may be struck from base metals, lower-purity gold, or alloys that imitate the appearance of a genuine coin. Many contemporary fakes show subtle differences in their dimensions, weight, or design details, making careful physical inspection an important first step in authentication.

Modern counterfeit sovereigns have become increasingly sophisticated thanks to advances in manufacturing technology. Many are produced overseas using precision machining or casting techniques and are often finished with a thin layer of gold plating to closely resemble a genuine coin. While some can appear convincing at first glance, they frequently fail to match the precise dimensions or weight of an authentic sovereign. Checking these physical characteristics is one of the quickest and most effective ways to identify coins that require further investigation.

Although no single test should ever be relied upon in isolation, verifying a coin's diameter, thickness, and weight has been a cornerstone of sovereign authentication for generations. When a coin falls outside the expected specifications, it should be treated as requiring further examination before being bought, sold, or added to a collection.

Pure physics, zero guesswork

0.01mm

precision tolerance

3-in-1

diameter, thickness & weight test

100%

non-destructive verification

Safeguard your coin stack today

Pocket-sized assurance for British gold coin stackers. Protect your precious investments with immediate, non-destructive physical testing.