Posted: 4/10/2004 10:38:01 PM EDT
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I have acquired a block of something which I have been told is solid silver. It has the number 15.05 stamped on the top and is in a shape which is basically rectangular but the top is narrower than the bottom with sloping sides. It is quite heavy. I assume the 15.05 stands for 15.05 oz.?? My uncle gave it to me, as he assumed it wasn't worth anything. According to him it is a solid block of pure silver. It is silver in color and you can tell it was melted down and poured into a form to get its current shape (it has imperfections all over the surface). The block is 2.4" long, 1.2 inches tall, and 1.2 inches wide... roughly. Any way I can have it checked out to determine if it is pure or not? Thanks. |
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Quoted: Got any werewolves nearby??? BTW, silver is currently $8.15 an ounce. Yep, I know. I originally joked that I was going to take it and cast some bullets for werewolves, but with the current price of silver... if this is the real deal there is no way I'm wasting it on a gag. |
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The biggest preciousmetals dealer in your town will probably be able to do assaying and refining. They can assay your metal. But they'll charge a fee. PRK's method is the easiest way to determine it. Weigh it, find out exactly its volume via water displacement, determine its density. |
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I have a block just like that. It was purchased by a friend back in the early 80s (IIRC) when silver and gold prices were sky-high, as an "investment". Naturally, no thought was given to the fact that the price had already risen substantially, and the person paid nearly $800 for it at the time. I bought it from him for $50, which was very near spot-price for silver. He didn't want it anymore, 'cause it reminded him that he'd been an idiot. [:D] Anyway, it's probably worth $65 now. -Troy |
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Quoted: I have a block just like that. It was purchased by a friend back in the early 80s (IIRC) when silver and gold prices were sky-high, as an "investment". Naturally, no thought was given to the fact that the price had already risen substantially, and the person paid nearly $800 for it at the time. I bought it from him for $50, which was very near spot-price for silver. He didn't want it anymore, 'cause it reminded him that he'd been an idiot. [:D] Anyway, it's probably worth $65 now. -Troy $65? If silver is at over $8 an ouce, then the block would have to weigh just a little over 8 ounces. I'd say this block is heavier than that. |
| I wouldn't hold my breath for any major rise in silver prices. One of the historically largest uses of silver was the photography industry. What's happening with photography? Shifting to digital electronics. I'ld even bet silver is going to drift south, probably not tank, but going up is not really likely. |
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I just read "Patriots's" so now I have a hankeing to get some small silver coins and gold coins. I don't know how valuable that silver block would be because your potential buyers would have the same concerns you would. I wonder if you could take a loss and trade the block for coins. Then again: "Ammo: Currency of the new Millenium" |
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Quoted: Quoted: Got any werewolves nearby??? BTW, silver is currently $8.15 an ounce. Yep, I know. I originally joked that I was going to take it and cast some bullets for werewolves, but with the current price of silver... if this is the real deal there is no way I'm wasting it on a gag. Better get a muffle furnace, lead melts at [orange]621 deg. F[/orange] and silver at [red]1760 deg. F [/red]. I used to be in the silver refining biz in the 80's. Be careful of assayers and use a reputable one. |
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Quoted: Quoted: "Ammo: Currency of the new Millenium" This is my philosophy exactly. -Troy Yep, I recently started reloading [:D]. As for the mystery block... it doesn't look like lead to me. It is silver in color and has a slightly gold-ish tint when the light hits it a certain way. Predominately silver in color though. It reminds me of the way silver jewelry has a yellowish look on certain parts when the light hits it right. The yellow tinge is barely noticable. I'm getting very curious about it and may have to try the at home test using water... If I can get a digi-cam I will post pics. I don't have one yet [:(]. |