XRF tests of Pre-decimal 50% shilling and 1966 Fifty cent coin.

While I was at Bullionlist today, I decided to get a free XRF test for a few coins.
Both coins were picked at random from my stack and the results was a little surprising!
The Australian 1955 shilling shows a silver content of 66.58% which was much more silver than what I had expected.
The Australian 1966 Fifty cents showed a 77.76% silver content which really surprised me as I was expecting at least 80%

IMG_20200523_133523 by Aurora et luna posted May 23, 2020 at 1:42 PM

IMG_20200523_133209 by Aurora et luna posted May 23, 2020 at 1:42 PM

 

Wish you did the 50% florin, remember you saying they tested as 57% once before

 

I had one of my 90% gold coins tested a while ago and it came back at 93% so there appears to some variation during manufacture

 

The next time I get some more bling tested, I will use a bigger sample size!
As an aside, if anyone buys gold bling that originate from SE Asia, it's a good idea to get it XRF.
This pair of 22ct Gold Studs XRF at 20.29ct

IMG_20200523_163955 by Aurora et luna posted May 23, 2020 at 4:42 PM

 

I had my 22ct gold bracelet from Singapore tested and it come back 21.5...

 

I've had 22ct from overseas test funny too. Their purities are never as stated. I stick to 24k from known good sources only now

 

Round 50s had some QC issues. LIkewise WW2 era sterling.

 

Buying jewellery from SE Asia and buying bullion from Gumtree are pretty much just as risky as each other... it’s more often than not, that you’re not getting what you actually paid for

 

Question for all items tested...had they been cleaned prior to testing? I have had xrf tests on lots of small gold nuggs and some coins, relics and jewellery done by GP, CK and other dealers. Dirt, grease, foreign matter and handling with bare hands can all leave deposits that interfere with accuracy % and identity of mineral contents of items scanned.

Try this. Scan several uncleaned round 50s until you get 2 that scan the same silver content (don't have to be 80%, just identical readouts). Wear gloves when scanning and handling. Now clean one using ammonia soak and bicarb rub, rinse with a pressure washer and dry with a clean tissue. Then rescan both coins.

Note, impurities didn't scew results to show increased amounts of the most valuable metals. For example a nugget with grease from hands scanned Au 96%, Ag 3.5%, Cu 0.5 %. Clean in a mixture of salt and vinegar and a blast with a pressure washer and scan results would then show Au 98%, Ag 1.8%, Cu 0.2%. True dinks!

 

Thanks for the info. I’ll have to start taking a few items to the dealer when I go.

 

Didnt even know bullionlist had a shop, where is it based? They only had a PO box listed on the website.

I feel like the prices at bullion list are a little inflated from what they have been in the past, I dunno but Ive bought from them a few years back and the spreads seem a bit higher now...ie. 10oz geigers for $370...vs Ainslie selling them for $330..or $39 for 1oz roos vs $34.50 at Ainslie.