how to see the difference between an 1920 .925 an .500 silver?

[Michiel]

The title is clear. When you have an 1920 6 pence or florin. how can you see if it is an .500 or an .925 silver version. The weight is the same, the size also.

[FosseWay]

I don't think there is a cast-iron (or sterling-silver  ) way of telling them apart just by looking at them, but sometimes you can have a reasonable guess.

Unc coins are brilliant silver coloured either way. Dirty/stained/heavily toned coins are likewise indistinguishable. But in between, the 500-silver coins often seem yellower than the 925 coins. And if the coin has been stored somewhere damp, it will go green if 500 but much less so, if at all, if 925.

IIRC the colour difference is particularly noticeable on early 500-silver coins, as the Mint changed the composition of the non-silver part after complaints.

[Michiel]

that trick i heard earlier. I'm very color blind 

[EWC]

I don't think there is a cast-iron (or sterling-silver  ) way of telling them apart

Agreed - an important general point that many make mistakes over.  Billon coins were blanched at the mint, and the blanching works well quite down to around 9%, after that the results start to disappoint.  It often hard to tell an 18% fine coin from a 92% fine coin in silver.

I believe the form of Chinese silver ingots was created to show the nature of the crystalline structure formed as the metal cooled.  The "shape " being a better guide than the colour fro judging quality.  Reports vary about testing silver by streak, but I think everyone agrees it is not as easy or accurate as gold?

Having said all that, some like me will remember that the UK 0.5 stuff in circulation often did go a coppery red colour on the very worn parts

Rob T

[Figleaf]

I think your coin has a better chance of being a .925 than being a .500. The .925s wear evenly, while the .500 wear with yellowish or dull grey spots on the head.

Peter

[Michiel]

i put it in .925 melting bag 

[EWC]

Hmmmm

[Michiel]

the one i have is better condition. so or in an silver lot, otherwise in the melting bag 

[Mister T]

I remember reading once about viewing coins with a tissue on top - the silver ones would look more white, though I can't remember if it was to compare against cupronickel.
The ring will also be different I think.

[Michiel]

And what do you meam with "ring"? My englisch is not so good
Ring is for me my wedding ring. And as far i can see there is no ring on the coin.
Or do mean the "ring" that makes the bottom off the crown?
Coin is still in a silver lot, so not melted Yet. 

[andyg]

Ring - the sound it makes when dropped.