Treasure coast gold plated something?

[iamfree]

Found this piece of something, somewhere along the treasure coast in florida. When i saw the patina i figured it was just the tons of copper or brass i come across on the beach, but when i flipped it over, it was very clean, shiny, and gold looking. It also has some weight in the hand for its size. Upon further examination, it kinda looks like a thick Gold plating on maybe brass or bronze. If you look close on the patina side, you can see the separation of the two metals... So my question is: Did they gold plate brass or bronze containers during the time of the spanish shipwrecks?

 

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[Tony in SC]

Interesting piece. It would not be plating as we know today. I saw a small piece from that same area years ago that looked like copper with gold hammered(?) to it. We thought it was a piece of a bracelet ? Ask the people at the museum .

 

[iamfree]

What museum would be the one to inquire with?

 

[Tony in SC]

I haven't been down there in a while but there was a small treasure museum near Sebastian park.

What museum would be the one to inquire with?

 

[bradyboy]

looks like a crank shaft bearing shim -

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

So my question is: Did they gold plate brass or bronze containers during the time of the spanish shipwrecks?
View attachment 1833188
View attachment 1833189

Gold gilding made with a mixture of quicksilver mercury yes I believe they did. I used to have the formula.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilding


Anything found on that treasure coast has a chance to be something. Those are the cleanest beaches in the world!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Have it tested for purity. If its up close to 24K its probably shipwreck.

 

[iamfree]

I found the museum. They told me to come in and check with them. Mclarty’s treasure museum

 

[Tony in SC]

Years ago I found my first Spanish silver not far from that museum on our first trip down. It was a silver buckle that looked old. I yelled Spanish Silver!! My wife took it from me and turned it over and said "Yep Spanish silver, It's stamped made in Mexico on the back"!! I have never been able to live that down!!

I found the museum. They told me to come in and check with them. Mclarty’s treasure museum

 

[CaptEsteban]

I agree that it does have the shape & size of an engines crankshaft [ main ] bearings. These bearing will have an amount of copper in them, .

https://kingbearings.com/files/Engine_Bearing_Materials.pdf

 

[iamfree]

I agree that it does have the shape & size of an engines crankshaft [ main ] bearings. These bearing will have an amount of copper in them, .

Lol thats gold on the outside. Im sure crankshaft bearings werent plated in hammered gold. Also, who are you agreeing with? lol
Thanks for the interest.

 

[Toecutter]

From what I understand 10k gold could have patina

 

[iamfree]

From what I understand 10k gold could have patina

It’s definitely plated. I don’t know how good of a quality you can see on your computer, but on the backside where it’s worn a way you can clearly see the two metals. The gold on top of whatever copper or bronze is under. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a shipwreck piece. Could be an old gold hammered on copper bracelet or something. but given the area, it’s a strong possibility.

 

[Doubter in MD]

I agree that it does have the shape & size of an engines crankshaft [ main ] bearings. These bearing will have an amount of copper in them, .

Lol thats gold on the outside. Im sure crankshaft bearings werent plated in hammered gold. Also, who are you agreeing with? lol
Thanks for the interest.

He was agreeing with Bradyboy who suggested it might be a crankshaft bearing shim.

I'm not sure what it is. I'm interested to find out. Good luck!

 

[bradyboy]

the oil weep hole and shape is what drew me to my guess.
Brass
brady

 

[iamfree]

Oh i didnt even see that post. went right past me. I was confused there. Thanks for the clarification. Its not through hole, but a raised solid “bump”. The solid front face picture shows its contour well

 

[bradyboy]

how do you know its gold and not brass
warn brass gives off a shine
did you have it tested?
what metal do you think is under the gold
brady

 

[iamfree]

From what I understand 10k gold could have patina

Thats true... i found a 10k wedding ring once in the sand and it did have a patina

 

[iamfree]

the oil weep hole and shape is what drew me to my guess.
Brass
brady

Ive seen alot of gold and its def gold. The worn texture and the fact that its not tarnished at all being in saltwater. like i said earlier, if you look at that back portion where its worn, you can see the two separate metals. The patina’d metal under and the gold on top. Ive pulled lots of copper, brass stuff out if the surf and it reacts to the elements differently.