Silver Alloy Disk

[Roln99]

Does anyone have any ideas what this is​

I found this object at the park here in Garland, NC. I was MDing when I got a strong tone in my earphones registering in the gold range at out 8 inches down. After pinpointing the location I removed the plug and began to dig while constanly scanning the hole with the coil of my Pioneer 505. Once I reached about 8 inches to tone went from gold to silver. About another inch down I saw the rounded edge of a metal disk lying on its side at a sharp angle. After retrieving the disk I noticed its heavily corroded condition. After a few day of soaking in white distilled vinegar, I began to see the first traces of silver shine through. I got a tip from this forum about using magnets to test silver and gold. The magnet clung to the disk indicating that it wasn't pure silver. I then used my detector with 100% discrimination and tried to notch out the disk. I still registers as a silver dollar. It has no words, numbers, symbols, or any identifying marks.

It was found about 5 feet from the bank of a small stream that runs around the edge of the park. The Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley Railroad used to pass through Garland right after the Civil War. It has been abandoned and removed for over 30 years now.

 

[72cheyenne]

It looks just to be a large washer. I have had large iron pieces, especially round ones, consistently read as silver, especially on the white's machines I have used. I figure it has something to do with the compostion of the metal.

 

[IronSpike]

Interesting find. It's heavily crusted, but I would also guess it's a silver alloy of some sort. How big is it?

It looks just to be a large washer. I have had large iron pieces, especially round ones, consistently read as silver, especially on the white's machines I have used. I figure it has something to do with the compostion of the metal.

Does the shape of the object (round) distort the detector display reading.

I cleaned up my disc (hate token) and still get +94, +95 reading. Any good method to test whether actual silver?

 

[72cheyenne]

Interesting find. It's heavily crusted, but I would also guess it's a silver alloy of some sort. How big is it?

Does the shape of the object (round) distort the detector display reading.

I cleaned up my disc (hate token) and still get +94, +95 reading. Any good method to test whether actual silver?

I have no idea about the way the detector reads the metal in the ground, just relating to you from my experience. Round objects most always give a solid, consistent, smooth tone. I have found many pieces of iron? that I have assumed must have either zinc or maybe silver? in its compostion that make it read instead of null. Most every White's machine I have used (6000di/pro, DFX, M6) will almost always read these certain iron? objects as a half/silver dollar. When I find them now, I have started calling them "white's silver dollars". Not knocking white's, they are good machines.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Does anyone have any ideas what this is​

I got a tip from this forum about using magnets to test silver and gold. The magnet clung to the disk indicating that it wasn't pure silver.

I think that means its not silver at all. Where did you read that? I never heard of mixing iron with silver. At least not on purpose. Silver is most often mixed with copper and a magnet will not stick to it. Its iron or steel.

Heres a link no time to read it; tell me if Im wrong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alloys#Alloys_of_silver

 

[72cheyenne]

Nice link, BCH.

 

[IronSpike]

Interesting find. It's heavily crusted, but I would also guess it's a silver alloy of some sort. How big is it?

Does the shape of the object (round) distort the detector display reading.

I cleaned up my disc (hate token) and still get +94, +95 reading. Any good method to test whether actual silver?

I have no idea about the way the detector reads the metal in the ground, just relating to you from my experience. Round objects most always give a solid, consistent, smooth tone. I have found many pieces of iron? that I have assumed must have either zinc or maybe silver? in its compostion that make it read instead of null. Most every White's machine I have used (6000di/pro, DFX, M6) will almost always read these certain iron? objects as a half/silver dollar. When I find them now, I have started calling them "white's silver dollars". Not knocking white's, they are good machines.

Thanks 72cheyenne, "white's silver dollars" I like that

Does anyone have any ideas what this is​

I got a tip from this forum about using magnets to test silver and gold. The magnet clung to the disk indicating that it wasn't pure silver.

I think that means its not silver at all. Where did you read that? I never heard of mixing iron with silver. At least not on purpose. Silver is most often mixed with copper and a magnet will not stick to it. Its iron or steel.

Heres a link no time to read it; tell me if Im wrong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alloys#Alloys_of_silver

Thanks link BCH. Guess it also would be good idea to have a gold/silver test kit. Any recommendations?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Kellyco has a test kit for gold & silver.

I would think if it sticks to a magnet it is fererous (iron or steel)

I make my own test solution out of Potassium Dichromatic and Nitric Acid to test all types of metals.
I will have to search for the chart. Search TN here and you will find it from my past posts.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

OK I found my old post from 2005.. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,24080.msg167334.html#msg167334


ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WORKING WITH ACID>


I make a test solution by mixing nitric acid, a pinch of potassium dichromate, and a little distilled water.

A)apply a drop of solution to the unknown metal- watch for color reaction.

B) Wait one minute, wipe it off and check the color/mark on the metal for the following color.


A(start) B(after one minute )
Brass--Dark Brown --------------------------light brown
Copper--Brown--------------------------------cleaned copper
Gold--None-------------------------------------none
Nickel--Blue------------------------------------scarcely any
Lead--Yellow----------------------------------leaden
Tin--Yellow------------------------------------dark
Silver(pure)--Bright Red-------------------grayish white
Silver .925--Dark Red----------------------dark brown
Silver .800--Brown-------------------------dark brown
Silver .500--Green--------------------------dark brown
Palladium--None-----------------------------non
Platinum--Vandyke brown---------------none
Iorn --various -------------------------------black
Zinc --light chocolate---------------------steel grey
Aluminum---Yellow ---------------------no stain

 

[Tony in SC]

It looks like a body washer from an old wagon. Tony

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Interesting find. It's heavily crusted, but I would also guess it's a silver alloy of some sort. How big is it?

It looks just to be a large washer. I have had large iron pieces, especially round ones, consistently read as silver, especially on the white's machines I have used. I figure it has something to do with the compostion of the metal.

Does the shape of the object (round) distort the detector display reading.

I cleaned up my disc (hate token) and still get +94, +95 reading. Any good method to test whether actual silver?

Nitric Acid/Potassium Dichromate solution is very good for testing silver content. All you need is a very small drop. Wash the acid off when finished. It may leave a stain so use in an inconspicious place. If a magnet sticks to it no need to test it is not silver.

Silver(pure)--Bright Red-------------------
Silver .925--Dark Red----------------------
Silver .800--Brown-------------------------
Silver .500--Green--------------------------

I tested my Spanish cob with this solution and was a beautiful brilliant red. A token I tested was blood red. I have identified lead alloys that I thought were silver (tested yellow)

 

[Montana Jim]

It looks just to be a large washer. I have had large iron pieces, especially round ones, consistently read as silver, especially on the white's machines I have used. I figure it has something to do with the compostion of the metal.

I agree... and use a 505 as well.

 

[IronSpike]

Thanks all the great advise/info on this topic.

I'll test my found disc and let you know outcome . Expect it to be a White's silver half dollar

I concur with all that it's an old washer of sorts. Good ID