Good luck on this one! Mysterious carved nugget?

[AngeeB]

Hello all! I found this carved nugget, wrapped in a leather pouch, in a trunk lining I bought from an antique store. I have been to several places that have told me- it's not gold, it's not brass and it looks like a trinket from settlers when coming to America that they would keep in their pockets. It is not magnetic. It is 1 3/4 in long. 7/8 inches wide. Weighs about 1.5 grams. A little bigger than a quarter. It cleans up with comet really nice, like a brand new wedding ring! There is a jewelry stamp on it, looks like it says RK, couldn't find a matching one anywhere? Well, that's all I have......Please help solve this mystery! Thank you in advance!

 

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[sliverofsilver]

nice piece. looks to be a little 2 faced
i would get it tested
nice find
HH

 

[AngeeB]

Lol! Thanks! Buuuuut the question remains.... I would not know where to take it to get it tested? Any ideas?

 

[sliverofsilver]

a coin or fine jewelry shop can test it
they also have test kits you can get and do it yourself

 

[taz42o]

It looks to be silver ,but whatever it is made of it has to be hollow.
only 1.5 g at 1 3/4" ,It cant be solid metal.

I have heard ,but not tried it, that if you put ladies makeup powder on your skin and rub silver on it it leaves a black streak.

I notice the faces are different kind of like theater comedy/tragety masks but not exact.

 

[TJE]

Hello all! I found this carved nugget, wrapped in a leather pouch, in a trunk lining I bought from an antique store. I have been to several places that have told me- it's not gold, it's not brass and it looks like a trinket from settlers when coming to America that they would keep in their pockets. It is not magnetic. It is 1 3/4 in long. 7/8 inches wide. Weighs about 1.5 grams. A little bigger than a quarter. It cleans up with comet really nice, like a brand new wedding ring! There is a jewelry stamp on it, looks like it says RK, couldn't find a matching one anywhere? Well, that's all I have......Please help solve this mystery! Thank you in advance!



Hey AB, very neat find. My first thought was a double faced Budda goodluck charm!

 

[tamrock]

Seems to me a bit lightweight for and item of that size made from most non-ferrous metals with the exceptions of aluminum, titanium, magnesium or beryllium ? I'm not sure the stamp mark is an RK and to me does look like some jewelers makers mark?. Also some of the surface finishing looks as if it was done with more modern motorized grinding tools. I think it was casted and not carved or shaped from a solid piece of material and the casting imperfections filed or ground off on the sides. It kind of looks like the image of comedy and tragedy or so it seems to me Maybe the old truck was owned by a traveling actor or actress who had tucked away a good luck charm in that old trunk?

The restoration of old items with comet You shouldn't do that. My friend when I was around 13 washed his older brothers car with comet as his bro said he'd give 5 bucks to wash his car as his brother was heading out with his friends. When his brother returned, my little friend dang near ended up in the hospital as of the result of washing a 66 Chevy Chevelle with comet.

 

[tamrock]

It looks to be silver ,but whatever it is made of it has to be hollow.
only 1.5 g at 1 3/4" ,It cant be solid metal.

I have heard ,but not tried it, that if you put ladies makeup powder on your skin and rub silver on it it leaves a black streak.

I notice the faces are different kind of like theater comedy/tragety masks but not exact.

Indeed could be 2 half's soldered together and the seams finished. Good point!

 

[AngeeB]

Wow! Thanks for the insight!!! I do have to admit the weight was a guess-ta-ment... I'm sorry for that. I don't remember the exact weight, unfortunately.. It is however solid and heavy. I was also unclear of the stamp on the side as well. I will post another picture with it drawn out more clearly, RK was my best guess. @Tamrock.... LOL about the Chevy! I had no idea that was not good!? What would you suggest? This piece is definitly hand made, and very unique.... But the question remains......LOL.....What is is? I think that TJE is onto something about it being a good luck charm? And Taz420, I will try the rubbing trick and see what happens!!!!!

 

[AngeeB]

Update

Ok, so, I tried the skin test... Since I am iron deficient my 14k wedding band leaves black marks on me, the picture of my (very swollen-lol) hand shows two black marks, the one on the left is from my ring, the one on the right is from the piece....soooo ummmm yeah.... The pictures attached I hope show better detail. The stamp drawing is not exact but hopefully it can give more insight, now that I have drawn it out, it looks like maybe 3P? If I had to compare weight, I would say it weighs about as much as a roll of quarters.....sorry for that.... Anyhow, I have all the faith in the world that you guys can help me! No pressure, LOL..... Thanks again!!!!


Well now it is not letting me post the pics on here, I am going to add them to my profile if I can...

 

[AngeeB]

I had to add the other pics to a new thread, sorry!!! But they are up!!!

 

[tamrock]

Wow! Thanks for the insight!!! I do have to admit the weight was a guess-ta-ment... I'm sorry for that. I don't remember the exact weight, unfortunately.. It is however solid and heavy. I was also unclear of the stamp on the side as well. I will post another picture with it drawn out more clearly, RK was my best guess. @Tamrock.... LOL about the Chevy! I had no idea that was not good!? What would you suggest? This piece is definitly hand made, and very unique.... But the question remains......LOL.....What is is? I think that TJE is onto something about it being a good luck charm? And Taz420, I will try the rubbing trick and see what happens!!!!!

If it's a nice piece of gold jewelry I have some jewelry cleaner to soak it in, but don't use that if it has pearls in the setting. Tarnished silver I use a silver polish cream that I can get at walmart. This item I would have used dish soap and a soft toothbrush as it would have been to me better to see it with the aged patina. That can give a indication of the age and even what the metal is from the color of the patina sometimes. No big! I saw your other post and the mark is not one I know, and it's not a hallmark I don't think, I think it's a makers mark?. It is an interesting item for sure and your photo on the other post looks like its gold, but you've ruled that out already. How cool you found it in that old trunk.