Silver Vs Platinum can you tell the difference?

aussiesilver

aussiesilver

Well-Known Member
Silver Stacker
Is there anything that can distinguish the difference between silver and platinum. I have some rounds that are marked as .999. Weight is correct and thickness is 2.9mm. When i compare to a silver coin that is 1 oz and the same thickness the round comes out smaller by probably 2 to 3 mm in diameter. Any homemade tests that might distinguish
 
A specific gravity test might show the difference...

The SP of Platinum is 21400 and that of Silver is 10490
 
aussiesilver said:
Is there anything that can distinguish the difference between silver and platinum. I have some rounds that are marked as .999. Weight is correct and thickness is 2.9mm. When i compare to a silver coin that is 1 oz and the same thickness the round comes out smaller by probably 2 to 3 mm in diameter. Any homemade tests that might distinguish
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A 1 troz 9995 APE is 32.7mm diameter and 2.39mm thickness. A 1 troz 999 ASE is 40.6mm diameter and 2.98mm thickness. I don't know what you are comparing that is the same thickness yet only 2-3mm diameter less but that can't be platinum.

For reference: A 1 troz 9999 AGB is 32.7mm in diameter and 2.95mm thickness. So 1 troz platinum is thinner than a 1 troz gold at the same diameter.
 
aussiesilver said:
The round is 35mm and 2.8 mm thick,its clearly marked .999 and weighs 31.4 grams.
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Something is fishy with that platinum round. Palladium, perhaps? Pd instead of Pt.
 
I am only suggesting it might be platinum as its specific weight does not equal silver,it simply does not have the diameter
 
I've been pleasantly surprised how helpful most xrf owning independent bullion dealers are. If your a stacker you should have a local dealer you like anyhow. Being new I'm still finding my feet in that area but it shouldn't take more than a couple of polite phone calls to find someone willing to xray a sample coin.

You could always send them to me. If they turn out to be fake I'm dispose of them for you and if they turn out to be rhodium/palladium/platinum et al we can begin a dialogue about getting them back to you ;)

In all seriousness though better to have them properly checked out so you know for certain, I hope your sitting on a winner and not some fake silver.

Are non gold/silver/platinum coins and rounds even made as a rule? Has anyone seen other platinum group metal rounds?

P.S maybe a picture of the round will help, someone here might recognise the design even if it's fairly plain.
 
Marking a round 999 is highly suspect without the corresponding composition (Ag, Pd, Pt). It can be 999 anything that is worthless and still be truthful to its mark. Maybe posting a pic will help (as someone suggested). Or depending on the situation of how you came to acquire it, decide for yourself if it is worthy to be tested for actual composition.
 
Given it's dimensions and weight you should be able to rule out some of the more common metals that are sold as bullion to unsuspecting eBay users like plated copper or bronze, don't think it's lead.
 
Go to your local dealer and get them to xrf it.

Simplest way to determine what it is and if it contains any precious metals.

(btw dont be surprised if its fake, from what you have said)
 
Au-mageddon said:
Go to your local dealer and get them to xrf it.

Simplest way to determine what it is and if it contains any precious metals.

(btw dont be surprised if its fake, from what you have said)
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Unfortunately no XRF within 100 miles and its by Johnson Matthey so its not fake
 
If it were platinum or Gold, it would be twice the weight of a silver coin at the same dimensions, due to the fact that density of these substances is roughly double.

Silver is 10.49 g/cm^3. Gold is 19.3 g/cm^3. Pt is 21.4 g/cm3
 
I have to say I've seen some JM fakes being talked about on YouTube. I hope you haven't been stung...
 
Just found this and there are a couple more on other JM products. Not proof of anything conclusive as I've never seen anything on fake rounds, just bars but it might be worth a look. I'm the video the guy says he emailed JM who happily emailed him the correct dimensions of the bar. Maybe you could do the same? Ask them for the dimensions of all the 1oz rounds they've made in different metals. Our go the other way and send them the dimensions and ask if it conforms to anything they recognise.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md1NlkdMnZk[/youtube]
 
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