Coin Scale Guide: 0.01 g vs 0.001 g, Troy Ounces, Carats and Coin Counting
A coin scale that reads 0.01 g handles most US and bullion coins, like the A&D EJ-300 (310 g x 0.01 g) at $248.00, and to buy or sell by weight, choose the NTEP Class II A&D FX-200iN at $649.00; both are in stock.
Reviewed by MNM Scales technicians · Updated November 3, 2026 · Prices checked November 3, 2026
Short answer: to check coins against their published weights, a coin scale that reads 0.01 g handles most US and bullion coins, and a 0.001 g balance with a breeze break suits small gold pieces and close comparisons. The A&D EJ-300 reads 310 g x 0.01 g with a breeze break at $248, the A&D EJ-123 reads 120 g x 0.001 g at $319, and both show grams, troy ounces, carats and pennyweight. For buying or selling by weight, the NTEP Class II A&D FX-200iN is $649. Counting coins for deposits or a coin room? Call (832) 290-3120.
This guide is for coin collectors and dealers checking coins by weight, and for banks, laundromats, vending operators and churches that count coins by the bag or roll. MNM Scales has sold, calibrated and repaired scales and balances for over 30 years from our shop in Cypress, Texas, and we can ship any scale here calibrated with a certificate.
What readability does a coin scale need?
Readability is the smallest step the display shows. US Mint specifications list most circulating coins to 0.001 g or 0.01 g, and genuine coins also vary a little with wear, so a weight check flags coins for a closer look alongside diameter, thickness and a visual check.
| Coin (US Mint specification) | Standard weight | What a weight check shows |
|---|---|---|
| Cent, 1982 to date (copper-plated zinc) | 2.500 g | Pre-1982 copper cents weigh 3.11 g, so 0.01 g sorts them easily |
| Dime, clad | 2.268 g | Silver dimes dated 1964 and earlier weigh 2.500 g |
| Quarter, clad | 5.670 g | Silver quarters dated 1964 and earlier weigh 6.250 g |
| Morgan and Peace silver dollars | 26.73 g | A copy in base metal often reads well off this weight |
| American Silver Eagle, 1 oz | 31.103 g | Matches 1 troy ounce of fine silver |
| American Gold Eagle, 1 oz | 33.931 g | Total weight; the 1/10 oz coin weighs 3.393 g |
- 0.01 g: enough to sort silver from clad coins, copper from zinc cents, and to compare silver dollars and 1 oz bullion coins with their published weights.
- 0.001 g: for fractional gold such as the 3.393 g Gold Eagle, small ancient and world coins, and when you want the third decimal that US Mint specifications list.
- Capacity: single coins weigh under 40 g, but a 310 g or 610 g balance also weighs a roll of 40 clad quarters (226.8 g) or a stack of bullion rounds.
Breeze breaks, units and setup
- Breeze break (draft shield): at 0.001 g, air from a vent or a breath moves the reading. The EJ-123 comes with a clear breeze break, and the EJ-303, EJ-300 and EJ-610 come with an anti-static breeze break.
- Troy ounces (ozt): bullion is priced by the troy ounce, 31.1035 g, not the 28.35 g ounce. Set the scale to ozt to read bullion directly.
- Carats (ct) and pennyweight (dwt): 1 ct is 0.2 g and 1 dwt is 1.555 g. The EJ and FX-200iN balances on this page show g, oz, ozt, ct and dwt.
- Level and warm up: set the balance on a firm, level table away from vents, let it warm up, then zero it before each coin.
- Use a known weight: check the balance with a calibration weight now and then; a weight is sold separately and is not included with these balances.
- Handle coins with gloves or tongs so oils and debris do not add weight. For EJ-123 setup, keys and calibration, see our EJ-123 manual guide.
Coin scale options in stock
| Scale | Capacity x readability | Breeze break | Coin units | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&D EJ-120 | 120 g x 0.01 g | Open pan | g, oz, ozt, ct, dwt, grain | AC adapter included; 4 AA not included | $159 |
| A&D EJ-300 | 310 g x 0.01 g | Anti-static, included | g, oz, ozt, ct, dwt, grain | AC adapter and 4 AA included | $248 |
| A&D EJ-610 | 610 g x 0.01 g | Anti-static, included | g, oz, ozt, ct, dwt, grain | AC adapter and 4 AA included | $339 |
| A&D EJ-123 | 120 g x 0.001 g | Clear, included | g, oz, ozt, ct, dwt, grain | AC adapter included; 4 AA not included | $319 |
| A&D EJ-303 | 310 g x 0.001 g | Anti-static, included | g, oz, ozt, ct, dwt, grain | AC adapter included; 4 AA not included | $345 |
| A&D FX-200iN | 220 g x 0.001 g; NTEP Class II, e = 0.01 g | Small breeze break, included | g, oz, ozt, ct, dwt | AC adapter included | $649 |
| Brecknell B140-30 | 30 lb x 0.001 lb (15 kg x 0.5 g), counting | Not applicable | lb, kg, piece count | Rechargeable battery and AC adapter | $299 |
Coin scale picks for collectors and dealers
- Sorting and everyday checks: the EJ-300 reads 0.01 g with a breeze break and weighs a quarter roll; the EJ-120 is the compact pick for single coins.
- Fractional gold and close comparisons: the EJ-123 or EJ-303 reads 0.001 g inside a breeze break.
- Rolls, tubes and bullion stacks: the EJ-610 weighs up to 610 g in 0.01 g steps.
- Buying or selling coins and bullion by weight: the EJ balances are non-NTEP; for trade by weight, choose a Class II model such as the FX-200iN. Our legal-for-trade jewelry scale guide covers gold and silver buying by troy ounce, pennyweight and gram.
When a business needs a coin counting scale
Banks, laundromats, vending operators, churches and coin rooms count coins rather than check them. A counting scale does this by piece weight: it learns the weight of one coin from a sample, then turns the weight of a bag, tray or roll into a count. The Brecknell B140-60 counts coins and currency in US dollars, British pounds and euros, with big-bag and small-bag modes; call us for B140-60 availability. The Brecknell B140-30 at $299 counts by sample or by a keyed-in piece weight, counts pieces as light as 0.1 g, and shows weight, piece weight and count on three displays. For laundromat counters, see our commercial laundry scale guide; for counting parts and inventory, see our counting scale buying guide.
- Count one denomination at a time: set the piece weight for that coin, then weigh the bag or tray.
- Re-sample often: worn and new coins of the same denomination differ slightly, so a larger sample gives a closer count.
- Tare the bag or tray before loading coins so the container is not counted.
- Trade use: the B140 counting scales are non-NTEP; any scale used to buy or sell by weight has to be legal for trade, so call us for an NTEP counting scale for that use. Need it legal for trade? Here is an NTEP alternative: OHAUS RC31P15 Ranger Count 3000.
Rules: NTEP and coin scales
TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. Any scale used to buy or sell by weight has to be legal for trade. For coins and bullion sold by weight, that means an NTEP Class II balance such as the FX-200iN, which is covered by NCWM Certificate of Conformance 08-045 (FX Series, Class II, active on NCWM as of November 3, 2026) and reads in trade units of g, ozt, ct and dwt. If you are not sure whether your use counts as trade, call us before you buy. Our TDA-registered technicians can check your use; see our NTEP guide and our TDA scale certification guide.
Calibration and rental
- EJ balances and the FX-200iN: in-house calibration with a certificate is $95, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $395, done before the balance ships so it arrives calibrated.
- Brecknell B140-30 (15 kg): in-house calibration with a certificate is $250, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $595.
- On-site service: $295 + $2 per mile per visit across the Houston area, with calibration charged per scale; see on-site calibration in Houston and balance calibration in Houston.
- Certificates and budgets: see NIST vs in-house certificates and how much scale calibration costs.
- Mail-in, repairs and rentals: ship a balance for mail-in calibration, have us repair the brands we sell, and rent all types of scales for a show or a count.
Not sure which coin scale fits? Tell us whether you check single coins, weigh rolls and bullion, buy and sell by weight, or count coins by the bag, and we will match the readability, capacity and certificate. Shop: 21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, visits by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Is 0.01 g enough for a coin scale?
For most coins, yes. A 0.01 g scale sorts silver from clad coins and copper from zinc cents and checks silver dollars and 1 oz bullion coins. Choose 0.001 g for fractional gold and small coins.
Why does a 0.001 g coin scale need a breeze break?
At 0.001 g, air currents move the reading. A breeze break (draft shield) around the pan keeps the reading steady. The A&D EJ-123 and EJ-303 include one.
Can a coin scale read troy ounces and carats?
Yes. The A&D EJ balances and the FX-200iN show grams, ounces, troy ounces, carats and pennyweight, so you can read bullion in troy ounces directly.
Can a scale tell if a coin is fake?
A scale shows whether a coin matches its published weight. A coin that is off the specification should get a closer look, along with its diameter, thickness and appearance.
What scale do banks and laundromats use to count coins?
A counting scale that counts by piece weight. The Brecknell B140-60 counts coins and currency by denomination, and the B140-30 counts by sample. Call (832) 290-3120 for availability.
Do I need an NTEP scale to buy or sell coins by weight?
Yes. A scale used to buy or sell by weight has to be legal for trade. Choose an NTEP Class II balance such as the A&D FX-200iN, and call (832) 290-3120 to check your use.