Legacy 90th Anniversary Medallion 1923-2013 (Australia) - Silver Plated Or Sterling?

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 681
ClusterCoin Valued Member Australia 136 Posts	Posted 11/30/2024 06:23 am I'm having trouble determining what this medallion is made of. It has a proof finish with mirror fields. My Sigma says it's sterling silver, yet the few online sources I can find (mostly ebay listings) say it's silver plated. Maybe... 1. There are multiple versions of this medallion, and I do have a sterling version 2. My Sigma is wrong, and it's wrongly saying this plated medallion is sterling The second scenario is a worry. While the Sigma is a great tool, it can be fooled. But to be fooled by a plated medallion... Edited by ClusterCoin 11/30/2024 06:24 am Report this Post to the Staff

livingwater Pillar of the Community United States 2213 Posts	Posted 11/30/2024 07:00 am If there is a coin store in your area you could ask them to test it. Or at a coin club. Edited by livingwater 11/30/2024 07:02 am Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 11/30/2024 09:19 am Would the weight be a determining factor? Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12253 Posts	Posted 11/30/2024 6:42 pm At one time, a knock on the Sigma Metalytics analyzer was that it could not reliably detect silver- or gold-plated coins/medals/bars, etc. I believe its capabilities in this area have been improved, but I would contact the company with specific questions regarding your specific unit. The images you've presented do not appear to show any silver specifications on the either side of the medal. Often, pieces with a high percentage silver composition (e.g., 0.900, 0.925, 0.999) will indicate such to assure its buyer. The fact your piece does not show any such specification makes me lean toward a silver-plated piece. (Any markings on the edge?) I found an advertisement for the medal you've shown and the price asked ($19.95 AUD) strikes me as too law for a solid silver piece based on the average silver spot price in 2013 (>$23/ounce USD). The ad made no mention of the medal's silver content, a ploy often used when the seller wants to be deceptive and let the buyer think he/she is buying a silver piece based on appearnace.. Maybe there are other ads that identify a version of the medal as fine silver? Of course, these are just my thoughts after remotely looking at images - I can't offer any guarantee that I am correct. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Edited by commems 11/30/2024 7:45 pm Report this Post to the Staff
ClusterCoin Valued Member Australia 136 Posts	Posted 11/30/2024 7:51 pm Thank you for the comments. I don't have access to an XRF which would usually show if the medallion is plated. Quote: Would the weight be a determining factor? I can't find how much it should weigh in plated form. I might need to run a density test to see if it's plated copper. Quote: At one time, a knock on the Sigma Metalytics analyzer was that it could not reliably detect silver- or gold-plated coins/medals/bars, etc. I believe its capabilities in this area have been improved, but I would contact the company with specific questions regarding your specific unit. Mine is a reasonably modern unit, purchased two years ago. I am disappointed it shows this medallion as sterling, as the primary reason for purchasing it was to avoid plated counterfeits. Some coins I purchase at auctions are in 2x2 holders preventing the width and weight being accurately measured, so I've been using the Sigma to help avoid counterfeits (of which there are quite a few at auctions). There are no fineness markings and the edge is smooth. Report this Post to the Staff
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