Options
TPG and Specific Gravity testing for errors - off metal silver nickel
jmcu12
Posts: 2,452 ✭✭✭
I have what I think might be a 1942 nickel on a silver planchet but I think I need to verify it with specific gravity.
So, if I send it in to ANACS, NGC, or PCGS will either of them perform this test for me?
So, if I send it in to ANACS, NGC, or PCGS will either of them perform this test for me?
Awarded latest "YOU SUCK!": June 11, 2014
0
Comments
www.brunkauctions.com
The specific gravity of copper-nickel is 8.92. The s.g. of the wartime alloy is approximately 9.25, though some warnix test out lower due to voids in the metal caused by the laminations that plague the wartime alloy.
Do you ever come to Chicago? If you want to meet me at the store, by appointment, I would attempt to do the s.g. for you. My findings might be recognized at PCGS, NGC or ANACS.
TD
Have you tried a simple "ring" test? In other words, balance a copper-nickel piece on something, then balance the coin-in-question on the same thing. Gently tap each with a wooden pencil. Maybe add a silver war nickel as well. Compare the ring of each piece.
If you cannot get sufficient results with the specific grafity test or the ring test, you could use the last resort of using "testing acids." This would require a slight abrasion on the edge of the coin, but the results would be conclusive.
You might try gently dropping it on a glass tabletop and doing the same with a normal copper-nickel coin and a normal warnik, but the possibility of laminations may make this test worthless.
TD
Does the nickel have a mint mark or not?
Does silver planchet refer to the 35% silver war nickel planchet or to 90% silver?
was it struck on a dime planchett?
or does it seem to be a 35% silver composition with no mintmark
Known 35% silver Nickel SG=9.32
Regular comp. Nickel SG=8.93
My Nickel of unknown content SG=9.18
So, I dont know what this means. I am told that 9.18 is not close enough but it seems to be closer to 35% silver than it is to a regular Nickel.
Thoughts?
<< <i>The results of my test were:
Known 35% silver Nickel SG=9.32
Regular comp. Nickel SG=8.93
My Nickel of unknown content SG=9.18
So, I dont know what this means. I am told that 9.18 is not close enough but it seems to be closer to 35% silver than it is to a regular Nickel.
Thoughts? >>
That is enough over standard to be significant. Voids in the metal can easily bring the s.g. of wartime alloy down, while there is no easy explanation for the s.g. of a cu-ni alloy being high.
TD
I can perform the specific gravity test for you, we have a very accurate scale and I have done it many times.
Email me and I can send you the info; sisler@money.org
-Robin
I specialize in Errors, Minting, Counterfeit Detection & Grading.
Computer-aided grading, counterfeit detection, recognition and imaging.
If your nickel tests at 9.18, this would be consistent with the above posted by CaptHenway on 3/1.
Can you post a pic of it?
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.
Here are the pics
<< <i>some warnix test out lower due to voids in the metal caused by the laminations that plague the wartime alloy.
If your nickel tests at 9.18, this would be consistent with the above posted by CaptHenway on 3/1.
Can you post a pic of it? >>
...and I already see some laminations on the reverse. If you don't take up the other offer for SG testing in the thread, I know CONECA president Mike Diamond ("errormaven") can perform the test as well, you might want to contact him through the CONECA web site.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
TD
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Could that be a Henning counterfeit? He used a few obverse dies with different dates. Not very likely but not impossible. >>
I thought the same thing.
-Paul
areas of question->
obverse font of 2 in date and RT area of LIBERTY
reverse IB area of PLURIBUS and S of CENTS
I wonder if a Henning nickel as well
TD
<< <i>Henning never struck counterfeits in a silver alloy with a specific gravity higher than 8.92.
TD >>
Are you saying this may be a discovery coin?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I specialize in Errors, Minting, Counterfeit Detection & Grading.
Computer-aided grading, counterfeit detection, recognition and imaging.
<< <i>Does anyone think this could be the "other unidentified date" Henning's nickel? That would be cool. His known dates are 39, 46, 47 and 53. >>
No.
TD
Wasn't 1944 there? That was the one that stood out without the large mintmark.
<< <i><<Does anyone think this could be the "other unidentified date" Henning's nickel? That would be cool. His known dates are 39, 46, 47 and 53. >>
Wasn't 1944 there? That was the one that stood out without the large mintmark. >>
Yes. The most common date that he counterfeited.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>This is pretty cool. >>
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>the coin would be a lot more intriguing if it were a 1942-D, as a 1942 it could possibly be a genuine 1942-P struck from grease filled dies. >>
Or a 1942-S with a filled S.