Problem- Gold Buffalo with Three Red Spots

I purchased this 2008-W Gold Buffalo from US Mint in August. There were no spots when I received the coin. This coin was in two ziploc freezer bags with three buffalos purchase at the same time. The ziploc bags were placed in the safe with several Silica Gel packets.

Note the two large red spots and one small one on the ribs. There is a black spot in the center of the two large red spots! What chemical reaction could have caused this? It appears to have increased in size with time.

What can I do to stop and remove this chemical reaction?

Thanks!

 

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They could be copper spots (but I doubt it). Copper spots are common older 90% gold US coins because they were 10% copper and sometimes the copper did not completely mix with the gold. Copper spots are a good indicator of an old 90% gold coin being genuine.

Your coin is 99.99% gold (and, I assume, 0.01% copper). With modern refining methods I think it would be unlikely there would be enough clumps of copper in the gold to cause copper spots. But anything is possible.

 

Can't be copper since the coin is .9999 gold and could only contain .0001% impurities and there not likely to be all copper. It must be something deposited on the coin or some kind of contamination it came in contact with. I believe that gold doesn't react chemically to any chemical substance except aqua regia acid.

 

Since you say it has appeared rapidly, I suggest it might be the oxidation of a thin oil deposit on the surface. It would have been invisible until it oxidized. If the coin can
be removed from the holder, try some pure acetone on it. If it doesn't dissolve the gunk, it almost has to be copper chunks ( but that would surprise me also as Hobo and Julien said above.

When finished rinsing it in the acetone, there should be no streaks, if so, the acetone was a little contaminated, so rinse again with acetone with the coin held vertically. If still there, rinse with distilled water. best of Luck.

Jim

 

Hi Hobo, Julien, mrbrklyn, and desertgem,

Thanks for your thoughts, and for taking time to respond so quickly. I will give other members some time to look into this problem and hopefully get some additional ideas.

Al

 

Alhas, can you send them back??? I know the mint has a one month return policy, but I wonder if you call them and get special permission to return your set for another set. I know I had to return my first 4 coin buffalo set due to "defects" that I deemed unacceptable. The second set I received was fine. Stop stressing and call the mint at 1-800-usa-mint now! They are still open until 8pm. It would be great if you can return it for an exchange.

 

That seems the most reasonable to me.

I'm interested in how this turns out. Stay tuned in !

 

It looks cool, kinda like he was shot

 

hmmm maybe its not copper doing that or maybe it has to do with the number 6x 10e+23 per mole of gold

Did you see that picture of Noah's ark on Mount Ararat? Its also a mystery

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/noahs_ark_010823-1.html
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t3781.html

http://www.isitso.org/guide/wyattnoah.html

 

You still have a chance to purchase a new one from the mint and send this one back as damaged. i think someone didn't mix the gold properly IMO.

 

Thats what I was going to say...a new error :smile variety "The Shot Buffalo" Big Bucks on Flea Bay!! :thumb:


RickieB

 

Let me introduce to you to this organization called PETA: Free the Elephants from the cirrus

And the Endangered Species Act...

Ruben

PS - I thought it was a felt magic marker

 

or buy another at 60% off

 

Mix is the wrong word since it is pure (or as pure as you can get) Au and there is not an alloy (mix). Wonder if there is any way or chance it is struck on an American Eagle planchet? To check this you could weigh it. Buffalo would be 15.5 grams and AE is 17 grams.

 

There is a 0% chance that the mint will discount below bullion vale. If they do I will mortgage my house, empty my IRA, sell my stocks at a loss, sell all my coins and max out all my CC to rase every dollar I can to buy them.

 

it is almost impossible to get pure gold so there has to be some other metals in the gold besides AU even though they claim 99.95% pure.

I would order a new one and send it back.

 

Hello all,

Great thoughts! Per jaceravone's suggestion, I called the Mint and talked to a supervisor for a possible exchange. I was told that they cannot take the product back, for any reason, after 30-days return policy. I will pursue other options discussed. Thanks!

Al

 

So what did you do, and what were the results?

p.s. those sure look like copper spots to my eye....

 

PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals