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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,575 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
So as a lot if you probably know, I collect ancient coins, and am drawn to the odd and unknown coins of antiquity. Specifically, I collect coins like my avatar, the Gadhaiya Paisa trade drachms of the 7th-14th centuries. To date, only three reference works exist for these coins, and only one of those authors actually tested the coins for their metallurgy.
I have discovered a handful of new types, some of which are missing pieces of the puzzle. As I write my reference guide for them, I would love to be able to articulate what the coin is made of, rather than what it looks like it's made of. That can't be done without an XRF machine or similar. My LCS has one, but when I tried to explain it to him, he said that his lawyer advised him to never use it except to validate potential purchases or make an offer on bullion. The only jewelers I can find in the area are chains like Kay or Jared - pretty sure they would laugh in my face. Looking around online, it seems the machines start at $6,000 and go up from there - not something I can afford!
I am willing to pay a small fee for the service, but not more than I spent on the actual coins. Has anyone had any success in getting coins tested? Are there any potential sources I am forgetting to ask?
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
There are some members here on CCF that have a machine. I had one of my coins checked,but I forget who the member was  John1  |
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
H&M Analytical offers a service to do it. You can get a quote online.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
SPP-Ottawa has or had one,you may want to PM him. John1 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7941 Posts |
Got any university connections? Sounds like potentially part of an undergraduate or masters thesis project.
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Moderator
Canada
10458 Posts |
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Moderator
Canada
10458 Posts |
Also, there is this book. John Deyell is from Ottawa, Canada and I helped him with his research by analyzing a bunch of his silver and gold coins from India. https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Tra...p/9350981335 I must caution you however, methodology and understanding the limitations of the XRF is important. This is not just black box technology - an understanding of the periodic table and orbital shells of various elements is crucial, as peak interferences can yield false readings. The instruments you see in coins stores and jewelry shops are mostly calibrated for detection of a few key elements in a series of yes/no tests... they are not to be relied upon for numismatic research. The XRF is a powerful tool, but be aware of what exactly it is doing. There is a little bit of background reading here: https://chem.libretexts.org/Textboo..._XRF_Spectra"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,575 |
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Posted 11/13/2018 3:55 pm
