Is This Bicentennial Medal Real Silver? | US Mint Medal

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 4,975
treessa New Member United States 2 Posts	Posted 01/29/2009 12:03 am I have a bicentennial 1776-1976 US Mint Medal that is silver in color, but was wondering if it is true silver? It measures 1 1/2 inches round and has the statue of liberty on one side and the american eagle on the other. It is also signed by the engraver fgasparro. Anyone know anything about this medal? Image: 2.jpeg 81.42 KB Edited by Sap 02/12/2009 06:52 am Report this Post to the Staff

GO Moderator United States 6563 Posts	Posted 01/29/2009 02:04 am It's a very cool lookin medal...but I highly doubt that it is silver since it doesn't state on the coin itself. Is there any writing on the edge? Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 01/29/2009 09:08 am I agree if it were silver it would be marked on the medal. Are there any markings on the edge? Report this Post to the Staff
biokemist6 Bedrock of the Community United States 12437 Posts	Posted 01/29/2009 11:34 am For those that do not know, Frank Gasparro was the Chief Engraver of the US Mint from 1965-1981, there is no question that this is a US Mint product. He was responsible for designing the SBA and Ike dollars and the reverses of the Lincoln Cent and Kennedy half dollar. I do know that bronze, silver, and gold medals were minted for the Bicentennial and typically, US Mint products that are not bullion do not get marked with a silver content or purity. I did some searching and would say that this medal should be 38.5mm in diameter and weigh 24.6 grams, i.e. minted on a 40% silver Ike planchet. Edited by biokemist6 01/29/2009 11:36 am Report this Post to the Staff
treessa New Member United States 2 Posts	Posted 01/29/2009 12:41 pm Thanks bio - thats kinda what I was thinking, since normaly you see like 99.9% pure on one that is. This one has no markings at all on the sides, and it is a smooth edge. It does weigh exactly 1 oz and measures 1 1/2 inches diameter. Thanks for the info. Report this Post to the Staff
KurtS Pillar of the Community United States 5318 Posts	Posted 02/03/2009 01:37 am Oh wow...that sure brings back memories! I had one of these in my collection as a kid...that was burgled. Report this Post to the Staff
waynebartosh New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 02/07/2009 11:58 pm There is an easy way to tell if the surface at least is silver. Simply lay a tissue ovet it. If it is silver it will shine right through the tissue. All other metlas will appear as a dark circle. Give it a try it works if the silver is not too toned or tarnishd. Report this Post to the Staff
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