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Copper or Gold?

jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited November 22, 2021 11:41AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I thought this is a copper at first but it is a Proof gold coin. I never see a gold coin looks like copper. I bought it because of the tone.


Comments

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is not from the U.S. Mint.... Not sure who made it or what the composition may be. Gold does not tarnish, so there must be a lot of alloy metal in that piece. Why do you think it is gold?? Cheers, RickO

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,261 ✭✭✭✭✭

    These were made by the Medallic Art Co. in NY and there is a gold version. According to the description in a Heritage sale, the gold medal weighs 31.8 grams and has an edge inscription.

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 22, 2021 12:01PM

    @MasonG said:
    These were made by the Medallic Art Co. in NY and there is a gold version. According to the description in a Heritage sale, the gold medal weighs 31.8 grams and has an edge inscription.

    Thanks for the information. I thought it was made by US Mint.

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 22, 2021 12:08PM

    This is the photo from HA. 1974 Gerald R. Ford, Medallic Art Co. N.Y., PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC. Serial #0189. 18K gold. 31.37 gm, 32 mm.

  • HoldTheMayoHoldTheMayo Posts: 130 ✭✭✭

    PCGS has this listed as "gilt-silver", which is basically just silver overlayed with a thin layer of gold.

    https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1974-medal-medallic-art-co-gilt-silver-gerald-ford-inauguration/690790

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @HoldTheMayo said:
    PCGS has this listed as "gilt-silver", which is basically just silver overlayed with a thin layer of gold.

    https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1974-medal-medallic-art-co-gilt-silver-gerald-ford-inauguration/690790

    that must be a different medal. This is from HA "1974 Gerald R. Ford, Medallic Art Co. N.Y., PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC. Serial #0189. 18K gold. 31.37 gm, 32 mm." in fact even NGC label it as 18K gold on the label.

  • bolivarshagnastybolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm not sure yours is 18k. If so, there would be a lot of unhappy women walking around with copper colored necklaces on.

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 22, 2021 12:27PM

    the medal shown by the OP sold this morning in a Stack's auction and was listed as 18k IIRC. I hadn't noticed it when lot viewing but certainly did during the sale, it looks stunning. I doubt that Stack's would misrepresent it.

    a quick check from the listing --- 32 mm. 31.37 grams, 18 karat, 23.53 grams AGW.

  • tokenprotokenpro Posts: 885 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In the series of official Gerald Ford Presidential Inaugural Medals only the gold medal was struck in the 32mm size. All the other official medals in all the different metals were struck in either 63mm or 70mm diameters. As noted paranumismatist and cataloger Alan Smithee always said, "Measure twice, list once".

  • HoldTheMayoHoldTheMayo Posts: 130 ✭✭✭
    edited November 22, 2021 12:33PM

    @jt88 Sorry to say yours is not 18k. One of the main properties of gold is it is the least reactive metal and therefore does not tarnish. You either have a gilt-silver version, or some bronze alloy version like the one below.

    Hopefully you didn't pay gold prices for the coin..

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gerald-R-Ford-38th-President-Medallic-Art-Co-NY-Inauguration-Medal-/162401950737?_ul=IN

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 22, 2021 12:40PM

    @bolivarshagnasty said:
    I'm not sure yours is 18k. If so, there would be a lot of unhappy women walking around with copper colored necklaces on.

    It should be if you compare both gold and gold plated. it is different. you can see 1974@mac in the gold


  • HoldTheMayoHoldTheMayo Posts: 130 ✭✭✭

    @jt88 What does the edge of your coin say? Seems like the company stamped material & serial number on the edge

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 22, 2021 12:45PM

    @HoldTheMayo said:
    @jt88 What does the edge of your coin say? Seems like the company stamped material & serial number on the edge

    I don't know. I don't have the coin yet but I am pretty sure it is gold not the gold plated. Only the color looks like copper I hope.

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    here's a link to the OP medal.

    https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-TYBMU/1974-gerald-r-ford-inaugural-medal-dusterberg-oim-19g32p-macneil-grf-1974-2-gold-no-59-proof

  • HoldTheMayoHoldTheMayo Posts: 130 ✭✭✭

    Interesting, IMO the best thing you could do is take it to a coin shop with a sigma machine and see if its 99% gold or just gold plated. Stacks would never lie but they're not infallable either. Trust but verify.

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @HoldTheMayo said:
    Interesting, IMO the best thing you could do is take it to a coin shop with a sigma machine and see if its 99% gold or just gold plated. Stacks would never lie but they're not infallable either. Trust but verify.

    I like that tester but it sold out for now. I might buy one when it is available again.

  • HoldTheMayoHoldTheMayo Posts: 130 ✭✭✭

    @jt88 No need to buy one, just call some coin shops near you and see if they have a sigma tester, most will be happy to look at it/verify it, even if you don't wanna sell it.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,891 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hasn't it already been confirmed above that the only medal of that design in that size is the gold one? If so, there is no need to test anything.

    It is an odd color, but it is 18 karat so maybe the other metals are driving that.

  • jt88jt88 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes it is indeed very odd color for gold. I never see one like this. That’s why I posted it

  • jwittenjwitten Posts: 5,215 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I’ve had several gold medals toned similarly. If we can verify it’s gold, I want it! Lol

  • gumby1234gumby1234 Posts: 5,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pretty sure Stacks checked the edge because they list it as serial #59. Also 18k is only 75% gold so the other 25% would be very inclined to make the medal tone like that.

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  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,743 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love the reverse

    CoinsAreFun Pictorials Album
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    Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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  • moursundmoursund Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinsarefun said:
    I love the reverse

    reverse is ok, but doesn't grab me.
    Mr. President is kinda spooky... I like it, but maybe doesn't look much like him?
    .

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  • moursundmoursund Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bolivarshagnasty said:
    I'm not sure yours is 18k. If so, there would be a lot of unhappy women walking around with copper colored necklaces on.

    All of those women sporting Gerald R. Ford as their BLING? :*

    100th pint of blood donated 7/19/2022 B) . Transactions with WilliamF, Relaxn, LukeMarshal, jclovescoins, braddick, JWP, Weather11am, Fairlaneman, Dscoins, lordmarcovan, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, JimW. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

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