How to test and steer clear of counterfeit bullion

[Snaerff]

the ice test + magnet slide covers most fakes quickly and costs nothing.

I’ve seen this slides on YouTube but never up close. Are they easy to find/construct?

Specific gravity is solid for silver bars where dimensions can be faked, but it's fiddly and slower than most people expect going in.

I’ve watched a lot of these videos too. Agreed, noting that “essentially free” is a big plus.