How to identify a coin
A step-by-step approach to identifying an unknown coin from its inscriptions, design, date and physical measurements.
Start with the inscriptions
The lettering on a coin is usually the fastest route to an identification. Read the legend on both sides, even if it is in an unfamiliar alphabet such as Cyrillic, Arabic or Chinese.
Country names, ruler names and the issuing authority are most often spelled out in full. Copy the exact characters you see, then search for them in the catalogue rather than guessing at a translation.
Find the country and date
Once you have a country, the date narrows things down quickly. Most modern coins carry a year in Western numerals, but many use other systems: a regnal year, an Islamic AH date, a Buddhist era or Chinese cyclical characters.
If the number looks unusual, note it exactly and convert it rather than dismissing it. A date that seems impossible in the Gregorian calendar is often perfectly normal in another era.
Read the denomination and design
The denomination is the face value, such as 1 cent or 5 kopecks. It is usually shown as a number with a unit, and together with the country and date it often identifies the type on its own.
The central design, a portrait, coat of arms, animal or building, is the next clue. Distinctive motifs are easy to search for and frequently point straight to a single issue.
Measure and weigh it
When inscriptions are worn or ambiguous, the diameter, weight and edge type separate otherwise identical-looking coins. A caliper and a small scale are enough.
In the catalogue you can search by diameter and weight with a tolerance, which is the most reliable way to match a worn piece to its type.