Coin collectors? Have a bunch of foreign coins and need

[yy4me]

to find out which are silver so I can throw them in the scrap kitty. I have looked all over the web and can find many of them but nothing tells me what they are made of. The brass, aluminum and copper are obvious. Many look and feel like silver. Any suggestions? None of these is in good condition or older than about 1950's.
Thanks

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Don't know...but, wouldn't it be great

if DU had a coin collectors forum?

I have collected for well over 30 years, and have some unusual brockage coins, and more, that I would dearly love about which to know more.
We could post pics, and maybe get some great answers and links to greater knowledge by those in the know.


Here's a kick for your thread, and hoping someone has some answers for you! :hi:

:kick:

[JTG of the PRB]

2. I don't know if it would work for foreign coins, but I know how to tell with US coins.

I LOVE collecting silver US coins - it's just hard because they're getting kind of rare these days. Anyway, you an tell by the sound a silver coin makes when it's dropped as opposed to a modern "silver" piece in US circulation.

If you have the coins you think are silver, grab a US quarter and drop it on the table. Make a note of how it sounds. The drop the coin you think is silver and listen to that too. Silver coins will have a slightly higher tone to them - they sound almost tinny (as if that's a good word to describe it). The modern coin should sound a little heavier than the silver.

Also, silver feels a little grimy if it's kind of old, so sometimes you can feel it just by touching it.

I dunno if that'll work for you, but it works for me! Good luck!