Silver or copper?

gecko109

Was wondering if any of you could determine just by look if this piece is silver or copper (or brass,bronze, etc.). The toning combined with the cartwheel luster is really confusing me. I realize that even in hand, it would be tough to determine, and from 4 photos, maybe impossible. Lets see if there are any brave guesses. For the record, I really do not know the answer.









All help is greatly appreciated!!!

Longacre

Someone on these boards said you can smell a coin and tell its composition. I have never tried that, though.

mgoodm3

Looks like copper to me.

gecko109

<< <i>Someone on these boards said you can smell a coin and tell its composition. I have never tried that, though. >>




I've always heard that a mouthful of copper cents will help you beat a breathalyzer test. Then mythbusters showed it wasnt true. That is an interesting idea though Mr. Longacre. But if fingerprints are bad, what are the long term affects of my saliva?

lordmarcovan

Copper. (Or bronze).

I see some woodgrain toning on the reverse. That kinda makes me think bronze.

Nice lookin' piece, with great color and decent looking toning, too.

Batman23

Nice looking token.

Looking at my book I see that they made them on Silver, Copper, Gilt/C and Brass. I show a Rarity 5 (75-199 pieces) for the Silver, a Rarity 1 (over 4000 pieces) for the Copper, a Rarity 8 (5- 9 pieces) for the Gilt/C, and "Unique?" for the Brass.

The book says that the tokens were struck on the fair grounds with the copper costing 10 cents and the silver costing 50 cents.

gecko109

Thx for the info marcovan and batman....I wonder what this piece has a fair market value of? Also, wondering if the damage on the reverse is post mint or just a planchet flaw.

Batman23

<< <i>Thx for the info marcovan and batman....I wonder what this piece has a fair market value of? Also, wondering if the damage on the reverse is post mint or just a planchet flaw. >>



My book is about nine years old and designed for the collectors of George Washington type things. I have no idea if it is accurate or not, but... It listed the copper in EF @ $11.00 and in UNC @ $30.00. FYI it also listed (in UNC) the Silver @ $60.00 and the Gilt @ $100.

Sotty

Circulated or toned copper always smelled like wet dod to me.

RichieURich

You could do a specific gravity test without messing up the token. Weigh the token both dry and wet (need a scale that can hang in the water, then adjust so that the scale reads 0 when the scale is empty. Put the token on the scale, put that part of the scale in water, then you'll have the weight when wet. Then look up on the internet the formula for specific gravity, and the specific gravity for silver and copper, and you'll know what the token is made of. My guess is copper. I used to own both a copper and silver one of these tokens, and the prices Batman23 quoted were about right for several years ago. Not sure what they're worth now, though.

tightbudget

I say copper



<< <i>Someone on these boards said you can smell a coin and tell its composition. I have never tried that, though. >>



That is nasty!