We found what we think is a real treasure at the antique show. an 1854 Kelogg and Co $20 gold coin in a money clip. We paid $10 but think it is real and obviously worth much more. Does anyone know how to get the coin out? it seems to be glued in to the money clip. Will acetone or another solvent hurt the coin? Also, does anyone know a good test to see if it is really gold? it seems to measure exactly what the coin should measure and looks just like the pictures in the us coin book and on the websites available. any help would be appreciated Thanks anorrismd@yahoo.com
Your coin is almost certainly a fake. Esepciall yif it is glued to the money clip. If the money clip was 150 years old and belonged to a Western prospector, then maybe, but the chances of someone sticking a real Kellog's coin onto a money clip in the intervening years is pretty slim. A coin dealer could (hopefully) tell pretty easily if it is fake. P.S. - a photo here would likely get an answer also.
