INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Some companies have begun making felt tip pens that can detect counterfeit bills. Draw a line or an "x" on suspicious bill to see if it leaves a mark, which can indicate a counterfeit bill. Be aware that detector pens are not foolproof, but work in many cases because their active ingredient, which is an iodine solution, reacts with wood-based paper. Realize that a detector pen may leave a pastel mark on an authentic bill and that it will fade within a day. This can help you identify which bills you've checked. Purchase counterfeit detector pens at most large retailers or office supply stores. They generally cost around $5 and can check up to 3,000 bills. If you work with a lot of notes, you may want to consider getting a machine that detects counterfeit bills. Running bills through these machines can help you ensure the authenticity of your money in a quick and effective manner. Recognize that there is a wide variety of counterfeit detecting machines a broad range of price points. Buy the type of machine according to the type of work for which you need it. Machines can do everything from detecting watermarks and other features with UV-light to detecting magnetic strips and magnifying micro-printing feature. Place a stack of bills into the machine and it will self-feed and alert you if it discovers Buy your machine at a large retailer or office supply store. You can ask other businesses or colleagues if they have any suggestions on good models. Most notes in circulation have features, such as watermarks or security threads, that are visible when viewed under ultraviolet light. If you work with large sums of cash or prefer to not mark bills, consider getting a UV-light to scan for counterfeit notes. Choose a model appropriate to your needs. You may want to consider self-feed scanners or hand-held UV-lights that illuminate security features. You can buy UV scanners at many large retailers and office supply stores. If you are truly unsure if a note is authentic after looking at it or scanning it, take it to your local bank. Most banks have personnel and devices that can see if the notes are counterfeit. Explain to the bank manager that you are concerned money you received is counterfeit but are not sure how to tell. Ask if the branch can verify the money and then follow any suggestions the staff has if they discover fake notes. Remember to be kind and provide any information you can about the origin of the notes.

SUMMARY: Mark the note with a detector pen. Run notes through a detector machine. Scan notes under UV-light. Go to your local bank.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: This is a common numismatic saying that means you should learn about a coin before spending money on it. Consult current pricing guides, like the printed Handbook of United States Coins or the web-based Professional Coin Grading Service, before committing to any purchases. These will allow you to find and compare the current market price of different coins and grades. For foreign coins, look at nation-specific guides and databases like Numista. For ancient coins, consult specialty books like Ancient Coin Collecting. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If a coin is underpriced, check to make sure it's real and hasn't been buffed or polished to hide faults. If you found it at a garage sale, flea market, or similar establishment, the seller may not know the actual value of their merchandise, but specialty sellers and collectors certainly do. Coins are graded differently depending on the country and individual appraiser, but a good starting place is the Official A.N.A. Grading System for United States Coins. Here, coins are ranked on a scale from 0 to 70, with extra points being given to uncirculated coins. Letters are added to denote quality, like MS for Mint State or VG for Very Good. In this system, the highest quality coin is listed as MS-70. In general, US appraisers are more lenient than UK ones, so be aware that a perfect coin in one country may be considered flawed in another. Some people overgrade their own coins to make them more market friendly. To avoid being conned, make sure to double-check all coins using an official "by the book" standard. Remember that grading, even by a professional service, is subjective and that grading standards change over time. For serious collectors, purchase both a low powered and a high powered magnifying glass. This will allow you to look for small imperfections and signs of forgery, like coins with incorrect fonts or askew visual elements. Pay close attention to shiny coins, as details may have been buffed away to appear glossier. A portable electronic scale is an important investment for collectors making expensive purchases. Weighing a coin and comparing it to collecting guides can help you spot counterfeits made from cheaper materials. Additionally, weighing a coin can help you figure out its melt value, or how much it would go for if melted down into its raw materials.

SUMMARY:
Buy the book before the coin. Avoid underpriced coins from professional sellers. Learn how coins are graded. Buy a magnifying glass. Buy a scale.