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 Replies: 7 / Views: 459 |
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New Member
Estonia
15 Posts |
Has anyone come across a similar situation with copper coins? I've noticed that this particular coin has an unusually white or silverish color, which is quite different from what I'd expect for its composition. For comparison, I've included a 10 Centesimi coin of Victor Emmanuel III, which has the standard copper coloration. Specifications of the Coin: Diameter: 25 mm Weight: 5 g Could this change in color be the result of some form of cleaning, chemical reaction, or other external treatment?    |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2061 Posts |
The 5 centesimi (weight 5 g diameter 25 mm) could have been plated or washed with mercury or simply be a bad cast, to deceive people in poorly lit areas into thinking the coin was a 50c coin (5.5 g 23.9mm) or a 1 lira coin (5g 23mm).
In Greece in the early to mid-20th century it was the practice to wrap coins in silver paper (as formerly used to wrap chocolate bars), as presents for the bride and groom. Was there a similar custom in Italy?
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New Member
 Estonia
15 Posts |
Thank you so much for your detailed reply! Your insights about the potential plating, mercury washing, or bad casting is interesting and something I hadn't considered.
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Moderator
 United States
32709 Posts |
Quote:
Diameter: 25 mm
Weight: 5 g @nunn, can you please confirm that these are the actual numbers for this coin (as opposed to the idealized mint values, such as are listed on numista)? Ideally, I'd like to see an additional significant digit on your measurements. Thx. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces2741.htmlIn the middle of the 20th Century in the US, it was not uncommon to coat copper cents with mercury as a "fun" experiment, but I don't know if this practice was also performed elsewhere around the world. It might be plated. Is there any attraction of a strong magnet to this coin?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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New Member
Estonia
15 Posts |
Yes I measured 25mm and weight was 4.99g
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New Member
Estonia
15 Posts |
Also magnet has no attraction
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2061 Posts |
Quote:
In the middle of the 20th Century in the US, it was not uncommon to coat copper cents with mercury as a "fun" experiment Brass counterfeits of British George III, George IV and Victorian silver coins were often coated with mercury to make them appear as genuine silver coins, though by the time modern collectors get them, the mercury has usually been removed (probably by the recipient).
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Moderator
Australia
16181 Posts |
Mercury, being a liquid, will slowly evaporate away at room temperature. A 100 year old thin layer of mercury plating should have completely evaporated away by now, leaving just the brass core.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Replies: 7 / Views: 459 |
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Posted 01/03/2025 7:52 pm
