Gold Plated Gold Coins?

mrearlygold

Someone sent an 1899 $10 lib mounted in a pendant. Tested the pendant and its not gold. Only way to see about the coin is to rip the mounting off. First I obtained permission to do so. The coin weighs the same as an authentic eagle. But it's been plated. Does anyone have any idea or know how to remove the plating?

Jeez the things I get into sometimes

Steve27

What makes you think it's plated?

mrearlygold

Looks sprayed on . The acid also removed some of it .

Steve27

Then it's not gold plated (unless you used aqua regia acid which is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid).

PerryHall

Probably polished making it look plated. Common for gold used in jewelry.

mrearlygold

Definitely not from polishing. Has a funky yellow color to match the funky color mounting it was in.

LanLord

<< <i>Definitely not from polishing. Has a funky yellow color to match the funky color mounting it was in. >>

brass, bronze, etc.? If it were really gold you'd need some good stuff to dissolve it. And aqua-regia is not stable.

19Lyds

Did ya try an acetone dip to see if it was paint?

jmski52

You said that the acid removed some of the "gold". If it's truly plated, then I don't think you'll get an even removal in any event. If you did use aqua regia, then you'd be eating away your coin as well.

I'd go the solvent route as 19Lyds suggests, in case it is paint. You could try paint stripper for that matter.

Poor coin!