Expert: Dan Moore - 12/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: If you would be so kind as to allow me a moment of your time to ask a question about large silver coins.

I am a magician who does magic with coins, I use older silver coins, Morgan’s, Walking Liberties etc.  I am always on the lookout for different silver coin items so recently I ran across a few large variety coins 3 inches and 3 and a half inches in diameter one was a Kennedy and the other larger diameter coins were Morgan replicas.  They were advertised as “Solid Silver” but had no markings showing silver content.  They were marked on the back of the coin as “One Pound” and “One Troy Pound” but nothing about silver.  The asking price was close to fine silver value.  Are these real silver?  Or just silver plated metal?   Could they be “solid silver” but just a low grade of silver?  Any info you can give me would be much appreciated!

Most sincerely,
Steven Paul Carlson


ANSWER: Steven,

Generally these are going to be .999 pure silver.  "One Troy Pound" means there is 12 Troy ounces of silver in it.  However, if it just says "One Pound" it is less clear -- it could be several things so it would need to be weighed to be sure.

There are other alternatives to the costly silver coins.  You can buy 3 inch coin replicas, made from base metal, for a couple dollars each.  See the following web page for details :

http://www.jakesmp.com/Numismatic_novelties/NN_004_coin_replicas_M.html

I hope this helps,

Dan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dan:

Thank you so much for the quick response to my inquiry.  The link you provided is exactly what most of us coin magicians currently use, some of us even get them plated to add a little extra sparkle.  The “silver” coins I inquired about are quite a bit thicker and some even 1/2 inch greater in diameter plus if they are solid silver it would have a little added value to the magician.  

Being marked “One Troy Pound” doesn’t say what it’s a troy pound of; it could be copper with silver plating.  I always thought that solid silver items were marked to show the silver content i.e.  .999  .925.

I have one coming in the mail and will be having it weighed I’ll am very curious to see how it comes out.

Thank you again for your help Dan it is much appreciated!

Sincerely,
Steven  

Answer
Steven,

I have seen some Chinese counterfeits out there that state on them .999 fine Troy pound, however they don't weigh right -- they are too light.

When you do get yours, be sure you weight it in grams and divide by 31.1 to get Troy ounces.

Glad I could help,

Dan