Pawn Stars silver bullion test technique

razzle

Sorry if this already appeared here since I know the show I saw last night was a re-run. Someone brought in bags of silver coins, several 100 oz bars (Englehards) and a 75 lb bar by an unknown smelter. Prices were quickly assessed by weight. The reason I thought it interesting was because in order to determine whether the 75 lb bar was legit, they demonstrated a test by drilling several holes in the middle, putting the shavings in a crucilble, and melting with a torch until shavings formed a liquid ball. Then, they dropped some nitric acid (I think that is what they said) on it. If it turns creamy white, it is silver, any other color means a different metal has been placed into the center of the bar. The grandfather on the show is a silver bug apparently, had lots of nice things to say about silver.

OPA

Missed that episode, but I'm surprised that they did not perform that test on the 100 oz bars also.

OldEastside

I think thats where they have some 1 ounce rounds with the old mans face on them made from that 75 pound bar.

Steve

Baley

saw the show, all but the big bar were obviously real, but for the buy they might have done some more verification off-camera. the big unfamiliar bar, being so big and so unusual, I thought that was cool and educational how they drilled it. The young cat selling the stuff obviously knew what he was doing, made a nice profit and used the money to advance his life.

LowBudget

Half the show is re enacted so im sure they did a lot more, that was probably most interesting way.