August 20, 1853
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmMethod of Detecting Counterfeit Silver Coin
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If a piece of silver be dipped into a solution of chromate of potash, decomposed by sulphuric acid, (thirty-two parts by weight of water, three of chromate of potash, and four of sulphuric acid), the parts of the silver immersed in the solution quickly assume a purple colour. The colouring is deeper and more lively when the silver is quite pure, and diminishes in proportion to the quantity of alloy mixed with it. Of course this process will not hold good when a coating of silver has been deposited on a piece of white metal, &c. ; in such cases as plated or tlectrotyped articles, for instance, a portion of the coating must be filed off; upon trial by this process, the German silver will remain of a white color. No other metals give the same color as silver when submitted to this test; copper, zinc, &c.,are acted upon by the solution, but not colored as in the case of silver.
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