Whats going on with this gold $2.50?

See post #2 in this thread:

 

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Here you go Hobo. Please point out whats mushy and the tool marks.
I'm not seeing what you are.

 

The answer to this is in the reverse image. Can you spot it?

 

ldhair, worn gold coins don't look a different color, they look gold. Maybe a slightly different shade, but they remain gold nonetheless. Yours looks like it has exposed some other metal in the worn spots. I understand about the weight, but if you really want to be sure, check the coin's specific gravity and if the weight and SG are BOTH what they should be, only then do you have a potentially real gold coin.

 

What varies in color of gold is the content of gold itself within. In other words, 10K gold is not as yellow as 14K which in turn is not as yellow as 18K or 22K. Coin gold is all made from the same 90% gold 10% copper alloy and therefore the color of a genuine US gold coin is consistent.

 

I agree but what could change the color? I can think of a few things but take a look at the wear pattern. Tell me what makes it fake other than color.
Just a hint. The black comes off with acetone.

 

Was going to say Mint Mark but I checked mintmarks on Teletrade and now assume it's not the mint mark. they all look like that.
Different date "O" mm:
http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2639&lot=1699&imagetype=j2

 

The reverse just doesn't look right. I think the D's look a little funky, and some of the E's as well, especially the one in "STATES".

 

Here's a pic of another, certified, $2.50 Lib (1856) for comparison:

 

the letters on the motto are poorly shaped this is the mark of a counterfeit coin. look at a genuine coin and look closely at the shape of the D in United. It looks oddly shaped. The coin looks like it's copper and was gold plated

 

The D has a large hit on it. I'll post a few images tonight of the letters to compare. The 1859 that was posted is too small and in too good of shape for this. What would a gold plated copper weigh?

 

The D does look fishy. However, upon further consideration I took out my Breen catalogue to compare with an actual 1854-O instead of the 1856 that I had posted and found that the letters on the 1854-O specimen depicted in the Breen catalogue pretty well match the photo posted here, actually, except for the color

 

You are correct, the lettering is what it should be. I'm having a hard time finding a high resolution image of this date to show this. If someone has a good image of the size I posted please post it. I'll crop the images and line them up side by side.

The hints so far.
Acetone will take all of the black away.
Look at the wear pattern.
The reverse image shows what caused that pattern.

New hint.
What could this coin have been used for after the point of being in circulation?

 

jewelry piece

 

Bingo.

 

So would use as a jewelry piece account for this strange color on a St. Gaudens double eagle?

 

Looks like copper spots to me. Very common from what I understand.