What is this melted yellow metal?

[davewilson]

Hello,

I'm new to the treasure hunt. . .I found this thing on a NC Beach near Fort Macon.
I put it in a drawer for a while and then got it out and rubbed it with some sandpaper.
It is a yellow metal but I can't tell what it is. Can anyone help??

Thanks,
Dave Wilson

 

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[Spitfire Reddie]

possibly brass
by the patina

 

[kenb]

I would agree with Reddielocks because of the patina.

kenb

 

[TreasureTales]

Did the sandpaper scratch it? Can't tell from the photo. If not, I'd agree with Reddielocks - brass. Aren't all the weird things that detectors find totally interesting? I love this stuff.

 

[davewilson]

Here are a couple of close ups. The metal scratches easily if that makes a difference.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[kenb]

You can test it for gold with nitric acid I think. Theres a couple of posts here that explain the process. I'll try and find one for you.(I still think its brass)

kenb

 

[Spitfire Reddie]

PS read this topic Dave

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,46699.0.html

 

[TreasureTales]

I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there just 3 possibilities for yellow metal? Gold, it's not. Brass, it could be. Bronze is brittle and doesn't appear as shiny and yellow as your photo. Gotta be brass. But what grit sandpaper did you use on it? And why?

So now the question is, What was it before it melted

 

[kenb]

Sorry, nitric acid is for silver but there is a link in this post that will get you what you need.
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,36911.msg255828.html#msg255828

kenb

 

[BIG61AL]

wouldn't a gold piece that size be unusually heavy? Has to be brass. What is the melting point of brass? ships long ago had lots of brass and still do.

 

[packerbacker]

Could be a brazing or soldering metal with multiple metals. Gold would bend (if pure or close to it), bronze would surely break as would brass. Bronze would have a more copperish look to it I think.

 

[davesx]

hi
it must be brass,gold does not blemish,
i've dug a few gold items and they come out of the ground the same colour they were lost.
hope this helps.
dave.

 

[packerbacker]

I worked for Xerox Corp. some years back at a circuit board mfg. facility. We used to electroplate circuit boards with various metals. Nickle, gold, and a combination of nickle/gold. On the unrubberized parts of the bars that held the boards during plating, there would be a slag-like buildup of these metals. They could be broken off in chunks similar to yours. btw.....we gold plated quite a few Kennedy halfs during that time that looked pretty neat.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI: It is brass. the bluish/greenish coatings are from the copper leaching out.

Tropical Tramp

p.s. C should read "Wipe the soloution off and check color"

 

[TreasureTales]

So the technical term would be...a glob of gunk. Actually, I know several people who save all brass, copper, and lead so that some day (years from now, no doubt) they're have enough to sell as scrap metal. Something to consider if the glob is bigger than a pinhead. How big is it anyhow?

 

[packerbacker]

Turn it in all directions. Look for even the slightest resemblance to Jesus, Mary or Jay Leno. Then eBay it!

 

[Ant]

Sorry, nitric acid is for silver but there is a link in this post that will get you what you need.
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,36911.msg255828.html#msg255828

kenb

Nitric acid works for gold too. Pure gold does not react to nitric acid but 10k will turn a little brown.

I think you metal is brass too.

 

[TreasureTales]

Turn it in all directions. Look for even the slightest resemblance to Jesus, Mary or Jay Leno. Then eBay it!

That is really very good advice. Jay Leno buys all kinds of junk...er, I mean treasure...that even slightly resembles him. I'd say the lump on one end resembles his enormous chin. Put it on ebay, make up a convincing story about its similarities to Leno...viola...money in the bank!!

 

[Boobydoo]

So the technical term would be...a glob of gunk. Actually, I know several people who save all brass, copper, and lead so that some day (years from now, no doubt) they're have enough to sell as scrap metal. Something to consider if the glob is bigger than a pinhead. How big is it anyhow?

Copper would be a fourth possibility.
Copper also turns green with oxidation and corrosion, like brass.

 

[whitesid]

my opinion is its brass