The coils should both have power on one primary lead whenever the key and kill switches are on. The other lead depends on the points and engine rotation, each set of points will be closed for about half a crank rotation. The exact rotation point where the points cam opens a points set (1-4 or 2-3) and cuts off power to its coil is when that coil produces the secondary coil spark pulse.
Measuring the points side of the coil just tells you if the points are open or closed, useful for some diagnostics. No real use diagnosing a coil unless you're looking for an open primary ... an Ohmeter would be easier.
Be a bit careful here, the coil primary generates a pretty high voltage "flyback" spike when power is cut off - hundreds of volts rather than thousands like the secondary but enough to give you a lift and possibly fry a cheap digital meter. The points condenser is supposed to absorb this but they go weak - and even with a good one, you'll take a jolt if touching the wire and ground.
