To verify the authenticity of coins, it is recommended to conduct tactile, visual, and comparison tests.

1. Touch test

When touching a coin, pay attention to:

• The assembly of bimetallic coins. The peripheral ring is assembled with the core almost perfectly, making the connection between both areas barely noticeable to the touch.

• Edge. The edge can be smooth, reeded (a series of parallel grooves on the edge of the coin), discontinuously reeded (a combination of grooves and smooth sections) or it can have a peripheral groove (a central line around the edge).

• Texture. If the surface feels slick or soapy, it may be a cast piece and, consequently, an imitation. The unengraved areas of authentic coins should be smooth, uniform, and free of pores. Any presence of burrs or other surface irregularities suggests it may be a counterfeit.

2. Visual test

The following features can be verified at a glance:

• Color: It is characteristic of the metal(s) used to mint the coins, meaning they are not painted.
• Latent image: It reveals a change in the image when the coin is viewed from different angles.
• Microtext: It is a very small text that requires a magnifying glass to read it.
• Texts and images: The text and images on the coins are clearly defined.

The latent image and microtext are found on 20-peso coins (C1-type). The first coin in this series was the commemorative one for the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city and port of Veracruz, which entered circulation on April 22, 2020.

3. Comparison test

• If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a coin, you can compare it with one of the same denomination and type that you are certain is authentic. Then, look for any differences in the features listed in the tactile and visual tests. Any differences could indicate that the coin is potentially counterfeit.