| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 3,026 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
Thanks jbuck, that helps a lot. I guess my first question is about a set of gold plated silver bars. When I got them home and took a good look at them. They had a film and some tiny red spots on the surface. I read that you can use dawn and water to wash them without any damage. I did so and the film came off, but not the spots. Is there any thing that I can do?  |
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
188283 Posts |
I split this out from your welcome post to get more attention to your question.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
849 Posts |
Thanks again jbuck!
A little background information...
1974 Hamilton mint, 38 piece presidential bars,gold plated-.999 silver. #0096/5000.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1215 Posts |
Those are probably oxidation spots from the oxidizing copper underneath. Unfortunately, it it's really oxidation, it would be hard, if not impossible to remove. Basically, at that location, the gold has not only rubbed away, but the copper has also started to corrode.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
I am new to this game, so don't take what I say wrong... I realize we posted at the same time.  Is there copper in 999 fine silver? Does silver oxidize in the same way? I know the full history of these bars. I can remember running out to the mailbox each month to see if we received a set of 2 or 2 sets of 2. Then carefully, with gloves, removing them and gently putting them in place. I know that handling was kept to a minimum back then. And for the last 20 years (if not 30) they haven't even seen the light of day. Could the case that they are in have something to do with it?  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4692 Posts |
Try acetone. It can't hurt. If you like the appearance and assuming these are not worth more than the precious metal value, you can always just re-plate them as a last resort.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1215 Posts |
I did not even notice your bars were silver! By my (often flawed) intuition, I thought gold plated meant copper underneath, as it is on most bars. This is because silver is a beautiful metal on itself (right on par in terms of eye appeal with gold IMO).
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
Quote:
Try acetone. It can't hurt. If you like the appearance and assuming these are not worth more than the precious metal value, you can always just re-plate them as a last resort. Okay, I'll try that. Is there a certain process,or protocol,that I should follow? Or do you just dip and dry? So, are you trying to tell me that they have more sedimental value than as a collector item? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
Quote:
This is because silver is a beautiful metal on itself (right on par in terms of eye appeal with gold IMO). I hear you there, that shiny stuff is so alluring. Gold or silver, either way. lol |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1751 Posts |
 Crosseyed, I do like your collection of bars. They look very nice in their case. I'd be careful doing an acetone bath, especially with the drying part. Let one of the more experienced members, like jbuck or someone address the issue. It's usually not advisable to clean coins. Drying is important, as scratches can be left by a drying cloth. Search some of the topics on cleaning. I hope you enjoy your time on the forum and learn from the vast amount of expertise here. It's a good group, with friendly and knowledgable members. |
|
Valued Member
Japan
349 Posts |
I can't make out any spots in your pic, other than 2 or 3 on the edge. Those may be just the silver toning through a hole in the plating. If not, you can try burning them off: http://forum.singaporegoldsilver.co...live-sessionBut you might use up a whole fill of the lighter doing them all...I would probably try it with just one, out of curiosity. edit: and yeah..if you do something, do it to the one you like the least first. Edited by bungle
12/10/2014 11:08 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1751 Posts |
I wouldn't put any heat near them, it could cause worse problems. You've got to be very careful with collector coins!! It doesn't take much mishandling to ruin the value. These aren't coins you've taken out of circulation and can get another for face value.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
If the plating isn't broken a rinse in nitric acid would probably do the trick. The acid won't react with the gold and it should take care of the spots. If the plating IS broken though, it could be bad.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
Quote:
pocket change 50:Crosseyed, I do like your collection of bars. They look very nice in their case. I'd be careful doing an acetone bath, especially with the drying part. Let one of the more experienced members, like jbuck or someone address the issue. It's usually not advisable to clean coins. Drying is important, as scratches can be left by a drying cloth. Search some of the topics on cleaning.
I hope you enjoy your time on the forum and learn from the vast amount of expertise here. It's a good group, with friendly and knowledgable members. Thanks pocket change, I'll keep that in mind. I'm not in any hurry and I want to find out as much as I can before I do much if anything. And I am finding out I don't know a whole lot.  But I'm having fun learning. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
Quote:
bungle: I can't make out any spots in your pic, other than 2 or 3 on the edge.
Those may be just the silver toning through a hole in the plating.
If not, you can try burning them off: Getting a good picture is proving to be difficult at best. I don't have much in the way of cameras, just a point and shoot, and a phone camera.I have been reading in the photo forum and I have some ideas that may help. I'm afraid that if I use heat it will discolor the surface. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
849 Posts |
Quote:
I wouldn't put any heat near them, it could cause worse problems. You've got to be very careful with collector coins!! It doesn't take much mishandling to ruin the value. These aren't coins you've taken out of circulation and can get another for face value. I agree,but it's not that I know any better. Yah, I can't go buy another one. They are all marked on the side HM 24KT EGP. Number 96 of a possible 5000. |
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 3,026 |
Posted 12/08/2014 8:24 pm
