How to Check the Quality of NA Coins Before Buying One

If you're looking to buy or sell a Narcotics Anonymous coin, you'll need to know a few things about the quality of commonly-found NA coins. As with any coin collection, your goal should be to collect coins that are in excellent condition. By following these simple tips, you can quickly and easily identify if a 3-year NA coin or a one-year NA coin is in good shape or not — saving you time and money.

What Are NA Coins?

NA coins are given to members during meetings for their attendance. You can exchange them for goods and services, donated to groups in need, or saved them for special occasions. Some people like to purchase NA coins as gifts. You must take time when buying NA coins by doing your research and checking out reviews first.

1- or 3-year NA coin comes in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Some may be thinner or thicker than others, while some may have more writing on one side than another. The design can also be found at different places on the coin, with some being front-centered and others back-centered.

Appearance

Some fakes are very convincing with their weight and look, but upon closer inspection, you can see minute differences in design and texture. A discerning eye may also be able to spot misspellings in the word like Narcotics. When looking at coins, make sure that there are no spelling mistakes or missing words and always check for spacing errors.

Feel the Weight

Its denomination and size can determine the weight of a one-year NA coin. Most denominations are available in both copper and silver. These coins can range in weight from 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce, depending on size. They are available in all sizes, so they are easy to carry around, trade, or resell if you find out they're worth more than you paid for them at an event.

Check the Imprint on the Back of the Coin

 Look for an imprint on one side that is stamped, engraved, or embossed. The pattern will be some emblem representing NA (i.e., yellow NA logo with blue Narcotics Anonymous text or an NA spiral logo). On some coins, you may also find what looks like decorative script lettering.

Check for Damage

 To check if there is any damage outside your 3-year NA coin, hold it up against the light. If there are noticeable scratches or markings, it could mean that someone has used it before. Look at and feel the edges for sharpness. If they are jagged or rough, again, it might be because it was used before.

Ask For Photos of the Coin Before Buying

Photos don't lie and can provide you with additional information about which coins are worth buying. If someone doesn't send you pictures, they may not be worth dealing with, or it could be because they're trying to hide something.

It's not uncommon for people who sell coins or other NA paraphernalia to make false claims about what isn't included in their package.

Final Words

Know your seller before you buy from them, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most dealers will be happy to answer any questions you have about three or one-year NA coin. Remember that these are individual sellers with their standards for what they are willing to put out, so shop around.