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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,534 |
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New Member
Malta
8 Posts |
I am a collector of British coins and Order of Malta (Knights) pre 1798 coins. I recently bought this silver colored coin which is a huge repro of the famous Gothic Crown. Its got mirrored fields and frosted cameos. It weighs 393 grams. Diameter is 85mm and thickness is 9mm. The edge is plain.It comes in a nice fitted blue plush box and no certificate. Its photographed in my hand so you can see the size of this beauty. My question is 1/ 'Is this silver? and 2/ 'What is the finesse?' I believe its something from the 1980's. Any other info is most welcome. For some reason I cannot upload here so there are the links below to the photos http://www.maltacollector.com/ebay/obv.jpghttp://www.maltacollector.com/ebay/rev.jpgEdited by billywhizzy
09/04/2011 12:10 am
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
It looks very nice, anyway.
How much did you pay for it? The answer MAY give some clue as to what metal(s) it made of. If pure silver, ASV about $550 currently, but a lot less in 1980's silver prices.
There is more of a tendency these days to make this type of item of pure silver and charge a large premium. In the 1980's, sterling silver or less for an item such as this would be more probable. It may be even silver plated copper alloy, but my gut feeling says 'no'.
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New Member
 Malta
8 Posts |
I got it from a local auction. I paid about GBP 80 for it. The auctioner did not know if it was silver or not and nobody bidding did anyway so we bid on its beauty. I was interested if someone has one like it and could quote the certificate. I really do not want to acid test it. I may however go to a jeweller next week and he's got an electronic tester. He would tell me all metals in percent present in this beauty.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
billywhizzy: In the light of little knowledge about the silver content, I think your bidding tactics were OK. No skin off your nose. Fine to win on an art piece that you like. As such, good win.
If it proves to be made of sterling silver or better, great win!
Sterling silver value about GBP 300.
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Valued Member
Australia
193 Posts |
Quote:
Is this silver? If unmarked it probably is not pure or sterling silver, and you can check that by doing a specfic gravity weighing. I may be wrong here but I think those jeweller's electronic tests are telling only of the surface of the metal. Of course if the object is not plated that would be a sufficient method, but that assumption is not available to you at this stage. That's why the more old fashioned specific gravity test may be a good step for you to take next. |
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New Member
Malta
8 Posts |
Thank you all for your help. I was just wondering if someone had one of them. There are no marks on the 'coin' The electronic guns can also show the internal metals of any item. I have asked this coin shop about other items many times and its very accurate. You aim the gun at the item and a preliminary result will be given in 3 secs. A more elaborate metal content will take about 3 minutes. Well this toy costs Euro29,000 so it ought to do the job perfectly.
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New Member
Malta
8 Posts |
Also since the side of the 'coin' is milled after production to get the machine milling finish, its highly unlikely that it is plated.
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New Member
Malta
8 Posts |
http://(Offsite URL shortening not allowed) /GyhjDkS_0Ts
here you will find the link to the metal detection spectrometer. There is also a link from youtube mentioning spectrometer vs acid test.
Enjoy guys and gals!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
You can do a down and dirty density check on it..
You know the dimensions all you need is an accurate weight.
Silver density 10.49 g/cm3
Copper density 8.9 g/cm3
Oh and welcome to the forum..
Have a nice cold Cisk for me please
Edited by nohope587
09/04/2011 07:44 am
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Valued Member
Canada
480 Posts |
I seen to remember there were 2 different British Companies/Mints making "copies" of good British coins in that period- One company did all the Edward VIII concoctions- I seem to remmeber something like Pinches.It sure looks beautiful.
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New Member
Malta
8 Posts |
Hi Guys...thanks for all the info. I'll be taking it for an XRF Spectroscope exam today. I'll let you know what comes off it!
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
just a silver plated repro I'm afraid minted early 2000's.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,534 |
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Posted 09/04/2011 12:31 am
