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 Replies: 9 / Views: 2,258 |
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Valued Member
United States
61 Posts |
inherited this along with a coin collection. Is it possibly gold or some other precious metal? Weighs a few pounds, perhaps a 1kg bar? Would the number on it perhaps be the purity? Not really sure where to go from here.  
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Because it is a bullion item, a bullion dealer may be happy to do an XRF test on it, to determine what metal it is made of, and it's purity.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Looks like Sterling Silver .925 fine silver, possibly a bar poured from melted items. as sel_699 said have an XRF done at a local coin/bullion shop to be sure.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Valued Member
 United States
61 Posts |
Was only able to find one coin shop so far in the DC area with an XRF, but is closed until coronavirus passes. The guy I spoke to seemed unfamiliar with recovery bars and confused about it having no markings. I'm guessing this is from melted computer components or similar, but really no idea.
So it weighs a hefty 5 pounds 12 ounces. And measures 7-7/8 x 3-3/8 x 7/8 inches.
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Rest in Peace
Canada
1360 Posts |
Using the sizes provided - and approx weight - the best I could calculate for you was Zinc.  |
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Valued Member
United States
61 Posts |
Would an XRF device identify Zinc? Would zinc bars be something to collect, or is more likely a mix of multiple elements? Do the two tone colors in the pictures give any hints?
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
With the information given,
I also calculated a density nearest to that of zinc for a common metal.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4692 Posts |
Quote:
.Would an XRF device identify Zinc? Would zinc bars be something to collect, or is more likely a mix of multiple elements? Yes. Zinc is an element. Little value. You have a doorstop. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Could be an unused sacrificial anode for a marine prop shaft gland.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5242 Posts |
You cannot conclude that it is zinc. The bar is not completely flat, and there may be voids or something weird in the middle: there is too much uncertainty to be sure of the density. However, the uncertainty is low enough to conclude that there can be very little gold, if any.
There could easily be multiple metals in the bar, and it might well be mostly zinc.
Remember that an XRF only gives a surface composition. So it if gives a high precious metal reading, nobody would pay anything without a proper assay due to the danger. On the other hand, It is unlikely that anyone would plate anything valuable with zinc, so an XRF of mostly Zinc would likely be correct.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,258 |
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Posted 03/16/2020 04:45 am
