For fractional gold under 1\/4 oz, 0.01g precision is the minimum. For 1 oz coins and bars, 0.1g precision technically works, but 0.01g gives you a tighter verification margin with no downside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Troy ounce mode (ozt).<\/strong> Precious metals are priced and sold in troy ounces, not regular (avoirdupois) ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams. One regular ounce equals 28.3495 grams. If your scale only reads in regular ounces and grams, you can convert manually, but a scale with a built-in troy ounce mode eliminates that step and the math errors that come with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a scale that offers at least these measurement units: grams (g), troy ounces (ozt), regular ounces (oz), and pennyweights (dwt). Many bullion-suitable scales also include grains (gn) and carats (ct).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Capacity of at least 500 grams.<\/strong> A 200-gram scale handles individual coins and fractional bars, but it cannot weigh a 10 oz silver bar (311 grams) or a tube of 20 Silver Eagles (622 grams). A 500-gram capacity covers most bullion items a typical investor handles. If you buy silver kilos (1,000 grams) or 100 oz silver bars (3,110 grams), you need a scale in the 2,000 to 5,000 gram range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tare function.<\/strong> The tare button resets the display to zero with a container or tray on the scale. This lets you weigh coins inside a capsule, a roll of junk silver in a tube, or loose coins in a bowl without subtracting the container weight manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calibration capability.<\/strong> Scales drift over time. A good scale includes a calibration function and ideally ships with a calibration weight. Before every verification session, calibrating with a known weight ensures your readings are accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have organized these by use case rather than a simple ranking, because the best scale depends on what you are weighing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Fuzion is the scale we recommend<\/a> to anyone buying their first gold or silver. It checks every box: 0.01g precision, 500g capacity, six measurement modes (g, oz, ozt, dwt, ct, gn), tare function, backlit LCD, and it ships with a calibration weight. Over 5,000 Amazon reviews give it strong marks for accuracy at the price point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 500g capacity, it handles individual coins, fractional gold, and most silver bars up to about 10 oz. It does not work for silver kilos or large lots, but for coin-by-coin verification, it is hard to beat at this price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for:<\/strong> First-time bullion buyers, coin show purchases, verifying online orders, checking coins from private sellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specs:<\/strong> 500g capacity. 0.01g readability. Six measurement units including troy ounces. Stainless steel platform. Ships with calibration weight and two trays. Runs on 2 AAA batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The GemOro XP500<\/a> is the industry-standard pocket scale for jewelers, coin dealers, and pawn shops. It offers the same 500g capacity and 0.01g precision as the Fuzion, but with better build quality, a larger stainless steel platform, push-button digital calibration, and a 5-year limited replacement warranty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are buying and selling regularly, attending coin shows, or running a small bullion business, the GemOro’s durability and warranty justify the price difference over budget options. The larger platform also makes it easier to weigh items like 10 oz silver bars that overhang the platform on smaller scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for:<\/strong> Coin dealers, pawn shops, frequent buyers and sellers, coin show vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specs:<\/strong> 500g capacity. 0.01g readability. Multiple measurement units including troy ounces. Large stainless steel platform. Push-button calibration. 5-year warranty. Runs on 2 AAA batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you buy silver kilos, 100 oz silver bars, or want to weigh multiple coins at once, you need a scale with substantially more capacity. Lab-style scales in the 5,000g (5 kg) range<\/a> maintain 0.01g precision while handling items that would overload a pocket scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are tabletop units, not pocket scales. They are larger, heavier, and often run on AC power with a battery backup. The tradeoff is capacity: a 5 kg scale can weigh a 100 oz silver bar (3,110g) with room to spare, and the large platform accommodates bars and tubes easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a model with an adjustable level bubble (critical for accuracy on any surface), detachable stainless steel weighing tray, and multiple measurement units. AC\/battery dual power is useful for home and travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for:<\/strong> Silver stackers buying kilos and 100 oz bars, dealers weighing bulk lots, anyone who regularly handles items over 500g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specs:<\/strong> 5,000g capacity. 0.01g readability. Seven measurement units. Large stainless steel platform. AC adapter + rechargeable battery. Level bubble. Ships with calibration weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For anyone buying fractional gold (1\/10 oz, 1\/20 oz, or gram-weight bars), a milligram scale provides the tightest possible verification. The Smart Weigh GEM20<\/a> reads to 0.001g, which is ten times more precise than the scales listed above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tradeoff is capacity: the GEM20 tops out at 20 grams, so it cannot weigh anything larger than about a 1\/2 oz coin. But for verifying a 1\/10 oz gold coin (3.393g) or a 1-gram gold bar (1.000g), the extra decimal place gives you definitive confirmation. At 0.001g precision, even a sophisticated counterfeit cannot hide a weight discrepancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The GEM20 comes with two 10g calibration weights, tweezers, and a clear draft shield (important at milligram precision, where air currents can affect readings).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for:<\/strong> Fractional gold buyers, gram-weight gold bars, high-value small coins, anyone who wants maximum precision on small items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specs:<\/strong> 20g capacity. 0.001g readability. Six measurement units including troy ounces. Draft shield included. Ships with two 10g calibration weights. Runs on 2 AAA batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you just want to verify the occasional coin purchase and do not need to weigh anything larger than about 6 troy ounces, the Weigh Gram<\/a> is the most affordable scale that still meets the 0.01g precision and troy ounce requirements. It ships with a 100g calibration weight and fits in a pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 200g capacity is the main limitation. It handles individual coins and small bars but cannot weigh 10 oz silver bars or tubes. For a first scale at the lowest possible price, it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for:<\/strong> Casual buyers, occasional verification, travel\/coin show backup scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specs:<\/strong> 200g capacity. 0.01g readability. Six measurement units including troy ounces. Ships with 100g calibration weight. Runs on 2 AAA batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A scale is only useful if you know what the correct weight should be. Here are the official specifications for the coins and bars that bullion buyers handle most often. Many of FBP’s gold coin<\/a> and silver coin<\/a> product listings include weight and dimension data, and our bullion coin melt value guide<\/a> provides live melt values for all of these coins based on the current spot price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Gold Eagle (22 karat, .9167 fine gold):<\/strong> 1 oz: 33.931g (1.0909 ozt total weight, contains 1.0000 ozt pure gold). 1\/2 oz: 16.966g. 1\/4 oz: 8.483g. 1\/10 oz: 3.393g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Gold Buffalo (24 karat, .9999 fine gold):<\/strong> 1 oz: 31.108g (1.0001 ozt).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (24 karat, .9999 fine gold):<\/strong> 1 oz: 31.103g. 1\/2 oz: 15.552g. 1\/4 oz: 7.776g. 1\/10 oz: 3.110g. 1\/20 oz: 1.555g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South African Krugerrand (22 karat, .9167 fine gold):<\/strong> 1 oz: 33.930g (contains 1.0000 ozt pure gold).<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Silver Eagle (.999 fine silver):<\/strong> 1 oz: 31.103g. A tube of 20 coins: approximately 622g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian Silver Maple Leaf (.9999 fine silver):<\/strong> 1 oz: 31.103g. A tube of 25 coins: approximately 778g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 oz PAMP Suisse Gold Bar (.9999 fine gold):<\/strong> 31.103g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 oz Generic Silver Round (.999 fine silver):<\/strong> 31.103g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 oz Silver Bar (.999 fine silver):<\/strong> 311.03g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins (90% gold, 10% copper):<\/strong> $20 Liberty\/St. Gaudens: 33.436g (0.9675 ozt pure gold). $10 Liberty\/Indian: 16.718g (0.4838 ozt pure gold). $5 Liberty\/Indian: 8.359g (0.2419 ozt pure gold). $2.50 Liberty\/Indian: 4.180g (0.1209 ozt pure gold). See live melt values for all of these on our U.S. gold coin melt value page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 90% Silver U.S. Coins (.900 fine silver):<\/strong> Morgan Dollar: 26.730g (0.7734 ozt silver). Peace Dollar: 26.730g (0.7734 ozt silver). Washington Quarter (pre-1965): 6.250g (0.1808 ozt silver). Roosevelt Dime (pre-1965): 2.500g (0.0723 ozt silver). Franklin\/Kennedy Half (pre-1965): 12.500g (0.3617 ozt silver). Our silver coin melt value calculator<\/a> breaks down melt values for every U.S. silver denomination at today’s spot price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that circulated coins will weigh less than these specifications due to wear. A well-circulated Morgan Dollar might weigh 26.5g to 26.7g and still be genuine. For circulated coins, the weight check catches counterfeits (which are typically off by 0.5g or more) but does not detect light wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Place the scale on a hard, level surface away from air vents, fans, or vibrations. Turn it on and let it stabilize. Calibrate using the included calibration weight. Set the display to grams for the most precise readings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weigh the coin or bar and compare the reading to the reference weight above. For a brand-new bullion coin from a sealed tube, expect the weight to match the specification within the scale’s margin of error (typically plus or minus 0.02g to 0.03g on a 0.01g scale).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A weight that is off by 0.5g or more on a 1 oz coin is a red flag. A weight that is off by 0.2g or more on a fractional coin warrants further investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the weight matches, that is a good sign, but it is not proof of authenticity by itself. Weight alone does not rule out a counterfeit made from a metal with a similar density to gold or silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight verification catches most counterfeits, but not all. A tungsten-core gold bar, for example, can match the weight of a genuine gold bar because tungsten and gold have nearly identical densities (19.25 g\/cm3 for tungsten vs. 19.32 g\/cm3 for gold). A counterfeit using the right amount of tungsten would pass a weight test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more complete verification, bullion buyers use additional methods. We cover these in depth in our guides on how to test silver at home<\/a> and how to test gold at home<\/a>, but here is a quick overview of each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dimensions (calipers).<\/strong> A genuine coin has specific diameter and thickness measurements published by the mint. A counterfeit that matches the weight of gold might be slightly thicker or thinner because the counterfeiter used a metal with a different density for part of the coin. A pair of digital calipers ($10 to $20 on Amazon) paired with a scale covers both weight and dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specific gravity testing.<\/strong> This uses water displacement to calculate the density of a coin or bar. You weigh the item in air, then weigh it suspended in water, and the difference tells you the density. Gold has a specific gravity of 19.32<\/strong>; silver is 10.49<\/strong>. A fake coin made from a lighter metal will show a lower specific gravity even if it is the right weight (because it would need to be slightly larger to hit the target weight). This test requires a scale accurate to 0.01g and a simple setup with a cup of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sigma Metalytics Precious Metal Verifier.<\/strong> This electronic device uses electromagnetic resistance to verify the composition of a coin or bar without damaging it. It is the gold standard for non-destructive testing and is used by dealers, pawn shops, and serious collectors. The Sigma verifier is significantly more expensive than a scale (several hundred dollars for the basic model), but for anyone with a substantial collection, it provides a level of certainty that weight and dimensions alone cannot match. For bar-specific verification, our guide on how to verify a PAMP Suisse gold bar<\/a> covers the Veriscan app and other authentication features built into the bar itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ping test.<\/strong> Silver and gold produce distinctive sounds when struck. A genuine silver coin rings with a high, clear, sustained tone. A base metal fake produces a dull thud. Free smartphone apps can analyze the acoustic signature and compare it to known profiles. This is not definitive on its own, but it is free, fast, and catches obvious fakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For most bullion buyers purchasing from reputable sources, a scale and a pair of calipers provide sufficient verification. The reference weights in the table above, combined with the specifications listed on FBP’s product pages for gold bars<\/a>, gold coins<\/a>, and silver bars<\/a>, give you everything you need to check a purchase within seconds of opening the package. Once you have confirmed the weight, our precious metals calculators<\/a> can help you calculate the melt value, the gold melt value calculator<\/a> and silver melt value calculator<\/a> use live spot prices to show you exactly what the metal content is worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calibrate before every verification session, not just when the scale feels off. Use the included calibration weight, place it on the center of the platform, and follow the scale’s calibration procedure (typically: press and hold the calibration button, place the weight when prompted, wait for confirmation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Store the scale in its case or cover to keep dust off the platform. Do not touch the weighing surface with oily or dirty fingers. Clean the platform with a soft, dry cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Replace batteries when the low-battery indicator appears. Weak batteries cause inconsistent readings. If your scale offers AC power, use it for extended sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Place coins and bars in the center of the platform, not hanging over the edge. Weighing a 10 oz silver bar that overhangs a small platform will give an inaccurate reading. If your item does not fit comfortably on the platform, you need a larger scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are buying your first scale and want one that covers the widest range of bullion products, start with the Fuzion 500g. It handles everything from fractional gold to 10 oz silver bars, includes troy ounce mode and a calibration weight, and costs less than a cup of coffee at most airport terminals. Pair it with a set of digital calipers and you have a verification toolkit that catches the vast majority of counterfeits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you regularly handle fractional gold (1\/10 oz and smaller), add the Smart Weigh GEM20 for milligram-level precision on small items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you stack silver in kilos or 100 oz bars, add a lab-style 5 kg scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you are buying from sources outside of established, reputable dealers (coin shows<\/a>, online marketplaces, private sellers, estate sales), the cost of a scale pays for itself the first time it catches a fake. Check current product pricing and dealer reputation at FindBullionPrices.com<\/a> before you buy, and verify the weight when the package arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\nScales We Recommend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best for Most Bullion Buyers: Fuzion Digital Gram Scale (500g x 0.01g)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screenshot-2026-07-11-at-10.12.21\u202fAM-1024x835.png\")
<\/a>Best for Professional Use: GemOro Platinum XP500 (500g x 0.01g)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screenshot-2026-07-11-at-10.14.31\u202fAM-1024x602.png\")
<\/a>Best for Large Silver: RESHY or Equivalent Lab Scale (5000g x 0.01g)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screenshot-2026-07-11-at-10.22.05\u202fAM-1024x818.png\")
<\/a>Best for Fractional Gold Precision: Smart Weigh GEM20 (20g x 0.001g)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screenshot-2026-07-11-at-10.16.37\u202fAM-1024x844.png\")
<\/a>Budget Option: Weigh Gram Pocket Scale (200g x 0.01g)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Weigh](\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/61cTIQhGL8L._SX522_.jpg\")
<\/a>Reference Weights for Common Bullion Products<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Use Your Scale for Verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What a Scale Cannot Tell You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scale Maintenance and Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Which Scale Should You Buy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Related Guides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n