GOLD alloy Peru Tumi Knife Pendant......Found!!!

[wlb42]

Found last week by my hunting Partner, John T. in Florida in a wooded area, dirt walking path, of a Public Park near (less than 100 yards) of a historical Spanish Mission site. I was standing next to him when he found this target, less than 2 inch down in a dirt-washed out area of the hill side we were working, which read in the high end gold range. It has no markings, but looks like a poured casting under magnification. Took to local Coin Dealer, and they were sure it was a gold alloy, but not sure of gold fineness without damaging item by filing and acid testing to be sure, and they recommended do a spectograph of the item by a local University.......Looking at the top loop of the item looks like an older casting, but overall very detailed and is the same on both sides......any comments or age??

Ooops....need to mention size: Troy weight is 6.2 grams, or 4.0 pwt, or .20 oz......Size is 2 inch long by 1 inch wide at widest point......

Thanks,
Bill B.

 

[Argentium]

Well - that is certainly nothing I've ever seen posted on this site before , very interesting indeed ! keep us posted !!! Argentium.

 

[Mr Tuff]

bite it... neat find!!!!

 

[wrecker]

There's "PERU" written on it. Don't think the Inca would have used our latin letters. I'm pretty sure it's a modern souvenir. Nice find though.

 

[cuzcosquirrel]

I'm not sure how they even made this type of thing in precolumbia. Probably casting which they could do a little of, or by pounding a lump of metal into a stone mold form.

 

[austin]

Souvenir sold in the markets and tourist areas of Lima. Sorry.

 

[CRUSADER]

There's "PERU" written on it. Don't think the Inca would have used our latin letters. I'm pretty sure it's a modern souvenir. Nice find though.

Agreed, & most likely Brass. I'm pretty sure the gold content will be '0'.

 

[jinxmeow94]

Wow! Amazing

 

[pl8man]

It's a key chain . Here is the one I found three years ago in a local school field . It's made of brass . Still cool , that's why I have kept mine .
Glen

 

[wrecker]

At least it doesn't say "China" on it. You could still make a mold with it, melt some of your gold finds and cast gold figurines from it. There used to be a guy on a Fleamarket in Berlin to sell homemade jewelry like that, replicas from precolumbian art.

 

[bay pirate]

Doesn't that suck when the detector sings, you dig carefully, about have a heart-a-stroke when the glimmer of gold burns your fascination into a panic only to clean and find its cast and has the words "Peru" on it strangely similar to the gift shop on the corners goods. Damn,, I hate no I love no damnit this is my last time, look, no wait, that looks like virgin ground. What was that trinket I found. Let's do this

 

[wlb42]

Thanks, Pl8man.........Looks like you nailed it........with an exact copy of the one found by my detecting buddy......which probably means his is also brass......It did seem to weigh lighter than what I would expect a gold alloy one to weigh......Thanks, Again........

Bill B............Thanks to EVERYONE for help and comments........HAPPY HUNTING!!!!!!

 

[hamiddetecting]

Great find so its the gold. Congratulation!!

 

[SusanMN]

It is possible to test the gold content without damaging the piece. Mizar sells electronic testers. You pour two solutions into a well on the tester and then you dip your gold piece in. It will tell you it's either not gold, or light up its gold content.

 

[jewelerguy]

kewl