Fake/Counterfeit Silver Bar? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 4,460
rggoodie Moderator United States 23481 Posts	Posted 05/05/2008 08:39 am I purchased a sliver bar, I believe it may not be silver. what testing can I do to verify if this is really a silver bar. rggoodie aka Richard "catch em doing something right" Report this Post to the Staff

Pennypusher Valued Member United States 486 Posts	Posted 05/05/2008 12:12 pm ......... I'm wondering the same thing, Anyone? -PP Report this Post to the Staff
Bryan1315 Bedrock of the Community United States 14454 Posts	Posted 05/05/2008 12:55 pm I have a acid kit I use on bars (not the art bars but the ingot type bars) but I don't know of any way to test a art bar Report this Post to the Staff
1sikevo Pillar of the Community United States 1130 Posts	Posted 05/05/2008 1:05 pm How about weighing it first. If it comes out way short, then you know it's not silver. Also, most assayed bars (Pamp Suisse and others) have standard dimensions. Report this Post to the Staff
rggoodie Moderator United States 23481 Posts	Posted 05/05/2008 10:56 pm This bar is Chinese to begin with. Weight is OK Would a local coin shop have an acid test kit? This is not really an Art bar, but it does have a picture and logo on it I could get the reverse or side tested. will that damage the silver? Report this Post to the Staff
Peter THOMAS Pillar of the Community Australia 2830 Posts	Posted 05/05/2008 11:57 pm G'day, weight is OK, you say. Now check density. If it's rectangular, should be easy to measure & calculate volume. Or if you don't mind getting it wet, put it in a vessel, and compare the plimsoll line, before & after. Silver is 10.49 grams per cubic centimetre. I know there is an acid test for gold. My knowledge of chemistry isn't enough to say whether there is a safe, convenient test for silver. Peter Report this Post to the Staff
KurtS Pillar of the Community United States 5318 Posts	Posted 05/06/2008 12:09 am Hmm...how do you verify a Ag bar since you could make a lead alloy at the same density and then plate the bar with silver? If you can't authenticate by appearance or ser. #, would it require cutting into the bar to check against plating? Perhaps I'm thinking further than most crooks would even bother... Edited by KurtS 05/06/2008 12:27 am Report this Post to the Staff
latman100 Pillar of the Community Australia 1040 Posts	Posted 05/06/2008 01:19 am My mother collects antique silver jewellery. Tried and tested method for checking if an item is sterling is going to require you to wear some makeup. If you are wearing foundation and you rub the silver on you cheek it will leave a black mark on your cheek if it is sterling (works for gold too). Second method is with ice. Silver is an excellent conductor of heat. Place an ice cube on the silver, in 5 - 10 seconds it should be very cold to the touch. Silver plate will take 30 + seconds. And if you prefer a more scientific method, a drop of nitric acid will turn the silver a creamy colour if it is sterling and green if it is plated. Hope this helps. Edited by latman100 05/06/2008 01:21 am Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 4,460

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