Did I strike Oriental Silver or did I strike out? by stephen-somers

steemsilvergold · @stephen-somers · Aug 15 '17 (edited)

$1.25

Did I strike Oriental Silver or did I strike out?

I recently visited Hong Kong for the first time and love exploring the back streets of the cities I visit.  We came across an area full of antique stores and markets in some alleyways off Hollywood Rd. it was hot and steamy and the family had enough exploring but I was drawn to a stall run by a lady as old as the Great Wall. She had all sorts of bits and bobs, but a basket full of coins caught my eye. In the middle was something I'd never seen before.  It was a rough rectangular Silver Ingot stamped with Chinese characters. The old lady said it was a type of Chinese government  payment from the mid 1800's. I had no idea if it really is silver but for HK450 (approx AUD75) I though it was worth the punt. 



Can anyone tell me what the characters mean? Is this trash or treasure ? 
Any ideas how I check if it really is Silver?

![IMG_5169.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcrz2HUYiw15NgB5n6xUP3XMfmVtoiMfDQidWWriH4rVJ/IMG_5169.JPG)
My mystery Chinese Silver bar

Weight 108 g 
Length 10 cm Width 2 cm Thickness 0.5 cm

![IMG_4811.PNG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQXAcTfuywyfXyFujVTFoKbenv2cb2QrWcvPs6xBxeaUF/IMG_4811.PNG)

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@rajankc · Aug 15 '17 (edited)

Looks like a jackpot to me, clever man!!

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@stephen-somers · Aug 15 '17

$0.02

Thanks. I hope it is real.

👍 stephen-somers

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@sirstacksalot · Aug 15 '17

It certainly was a gamble, but I must admit, it's one I would have taken!   Beautiful bar.

There are a couple of simple tests you can try.  Do a YouTube search on "ping test" and "neodymium magnets silver".  If either of these tests fail, you know it's a fake.  Other than that, the only real way it to have it smelted ..... but who wants to do that!

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@stephen-somers · Aug 15 '17

$0.02

It was certainly a Magnet for my attention lol , Thx will try the Ping test first.

👍 stephen-somers

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@hgmsilvergold · Aug 15 '17

seems very exiting. start with magnet test and then ping test., like @sirstackalot said. there are many youtube videos that should be helpful.

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@stephen-somers · Aug 15 '17 (edited)

Do i need a special magnet?

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@hgmsilvergold · Aug 16 '17

if you want to do the slide test then you need a neodymium magnet. if you just want to check whether the metal you have is magnetic, then any magnet will do. it is better if you do both tests.

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@phelimint · Aug 16 '17

It's certainly interested, I have no idea what the characters may mean, but as for testing it's silver purity I think specific gravity testing is the way to go. It's a bit more technical then some of the others, but it's the best for odd shaped items and by far the most accurate method.

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@stephen-somers · Aug 16 '17

Will do a search on how the can be done.

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@thecoolplayer · Aug 16 '17 (edited)

Bro that bar is most likely a fake nickel silver bar. Do a magnet test and I think you will see the magnet slides off the bar pretty fast. The wording are Da ching zhen ku which mean Great Ching empire vault protector which are mostly fakes. Had some of those bars when first started my collection and usually it's lead plated with silver.

👍 stephen-somers

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@stephen-somers · Aug 16 '17

Thanks. It might just be cool souvenir then. Will test it out you just never know.

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@prettycynthia · Aug 16 '17

nice. wish i had an idea how you can verify it's purity. but for what reason did the old woman keep the supposed treasure? it must mean some fortune, i pray. can i add you on discord?

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