In-Person Gold & Silver Testing for Private Sellers

The world of precious metals has changed. These days, you don’t just buy gold and silver from local coin shops— you also see deals popping up on Facebook, Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and private groups. Some of these sellers are honest… but unfortunately, not all of them are.

At Ploutos Gold & Silver, we know how stressful it can feel handing over hundreds or thousands of dollars to someone you barely know. That’s why we offer something simple, practical, and very powerful:

In-person gold and silver testing for private transactions and inherited items, by appointment.

Our testing service gives you added confidence when you’re:

• Buying gold or silver from a private seller on Facebook or other platforms
• Meeting a local seller you found online or through word of mouth
• Sorting through inherited gold and silver and wanting to verify what you have

Why Gold & Silver Testing Matters

Counterfeit gold and silver are more common than most people think. There are fake coins, fake bars, and plated pieces that look great in photos but don’t hold real value once you have them in your hand.

When you buy from a random seller on social media or through a private deal, you’re taking on a few risks:

• You don’t really know who they are.
• You don’t know where their metal came from.
• You don’t know if the piece is real, plated, altered, or completely fake.

Once cash changes hands, it’s usually too late. Having the metal professionally tested before you pay or sell gives you peace of mind that you’re getting exactly what you think you’re paying for—or what you think you’re selling.

Another Common Reason: Testing Inherited Gold & Silver

A lot of people come to us after they’ve inherited gold and silver from a parent, grandparent, or other family member. They might not know:

• Whether the coins and bars are genuine
• Which pieces are bullion vs. jewelry vs. collectibles
• Which pieces have real melt value and which are costume or plated items

Our testing service helps families understand what they actually have so they can make smart decisions about insuring, selling, dividing, or holding their precious metals. If you’ve recently inherited gold or silver and you’re not sure where to start, scheduling a testing appointment is a great first step.

How Our In-Person Gold & Silver Testing Appointment Works

1. You schedule an appointment with Ploutos Gold & Silver.
   To make sure we have the right equipment and time set aside just for you, testing is by appointment only. You can contact us at info@ploutosgoldandsilver.com or via our contact page to book a time.
2. You and the private seller (or your inherited items) come to the appointment.
   For private deals, ask the seller to meet you at Ploutos Gold & Silver so the coins or bars can be tested before you finalize anything.
3. We test the pieces using professional equipment.
   We’ll examine the gold and silver and perform non-destructive tests to assess whether the items are consistent with genuine precious metals.
4. We explain the results to you.
   We’ll share what the tests indicate so you can understand the level of confidence we have in each item.
5. You decide your next step—off our property.
   After the appointment, it’s up to you and the seller (or your family) to decide what to do. For liability reasons, Ploutos Gold & Silver is not a party to the transaction, and we recommend that any exchange of money and metal between private parties be completed off our property.

The Equipment We Use: Professional Precious Metal Testing

For many coins and bars, we use professional precious metal verification equipment such as the Sigma Metalytics PMV PRO. This type of device is widely used in the industry and is designed to help test:

• Bullion coins (American Eagles, Buffalos, Maple Leafs, and more)
• Silver rounds and bars
• Gold bars and ingots

These machines perform non-destructive tests that analyze the electrical and physical properties of the metal and compare them to expected ranges for genuine gold and silver. In many cases, they can even test through plastic holders, so there’s no need to remove coins from capsules or slabs.

Keep in mind: these devices are primarily designed for coins and bars, not for complex or hollow jewelry items. Some jewelry and irregular pieces may require different methods or may not be testable with the same level of certainty.

What You Gain from a Gold & Silver Testing Appointment

1. Peace of Mind

Instead of guessing or trusting a stranger’s word, you’re relying on professional tools and experience. A testing appointment is one of the best ways to reduce your risk when dealing with private sellers or inherited collections.

2. A Safer, More Professional Process

You’re not meeting in a random parking lot or dealing with metal in an unsafe setting. You’re bringing it into a professional precious metals environment and treating the transaction with the seriousness it deserves.

3. Clarity for Private Sellers and Heirs

If the metal appears genuine, the private seller can show that on the spot. If you’ve inherited metals, you’ll have a clearer idea of what’s real bullion and what might not be. If something doesn’t seem right, you learn that before any off-property transaction takes place.

4. A Relationship with a Trusted Local Dealer

Even if you don’t buy or sell through us that day, you get to meet us, see how we operate, and know you’ve got a reliable place to go for future purchases, sales, or questions about precious metals.

Important Testing & Liability Disclaimer

While we use professional equipment and follow industry best practices, it’s important to understand the limitations of any gold and silver testing service:

• No single machine or test can detect every possible counterfeit.
  Precious metal verifiers and other tools analyze specific characteristics and compare them to known ranges for genuine coins and bars. Highly sophisticated counterfeits or items outside the normal specifications may require additional testing and, in rare cases, may still evade detection.
• Multiple methods are always best.
  When necessary, professionals may use more than one approach (such as weight, dimensions, advanced analytical tools, or other techniques) to increase confidence. Our service is one valuable step but not an absolute guarantee.
• We provide a professional opinion, not a guarantee.
  Our testing results represent our good-faith assessment based on the tools and information available at the time of your appointment. We cannot and do not guarantee that every counterfeit or altered item will be detected.
• We are not a party to your private transaction.
  Ploutos Gold & Silver does not act as a buyer, seller, broker, or escrow agent in private-party deals. Any decision to buy, sell, or trade, and any exchange of money and metal, is exclusively between you and the other party and should be completed off our property.

By using our testing service, you acknowledge these limitations and agree that the final decision—and any related financial risk—remains with you and the private party you are dealing with. When in doubt, combining professional testing with purchases from reputable dealers and multiple layers of protection is always the safest approach.

Ready to Schedule a Gold & Silver Testing Appointment?

Whether you’re buying from a Facebook seller, meeting someone from an online marketplace, or working through an inherited collection, we’re here to help you make a more informed decision.

Appointments are required for all testing services so we can set aside the right time and equipment for you.

To schedule your appointment with Ploutos Gold & Silver, please:

• Email us at info@ploutosgoldandsilver.com
• Or use our online contact form to request a testing time

We’ll confirm your appointment details and let you know what to bring and what to expect when you arrive.