If you're an ANA member, a great article on how to make your own specific gravity test to figure out metal content of a medal, token, world issue, or U.S coin or pattern. You can view the article online here if you're an ANA Member, or page 98 of the ANA magazine. It is the july 2009 verison edited Hope this helps someone! Sounds interesting, I ought to make one.
I click that link and go right to the current issue without signing in. Hate to say it but I don't think this is allowed...
Well I'm not an ANA member, and I can view everything, and I can also delete the number "15" from the address box and put in lets say the number "1" and I can go to May 2008 of the Numismatist, then I can put it any other number lets say "14" and go to June 2009. WOW! Thanks for the link!
It isn't, they obviously have a glitch in their system. I edited the link out, please do not re-post it.
Specfically All thumbs This is not easy. If you like to build things, then, yes, it will be easy for you. If, like me, you do not build well, did not do well in chemistry lab, and pay a mechanic to work on your car, then measuring specific gravity is a headache that results in an inaccurate and imprecise number. When I worked at Coin World, we had a device all built up and ready to go. I spent a year with this, probably weighed out a dozen different coins. When it came time to determine the specific gravity of my own personal ancient electrum coin, I sent it to the ANA and paid them to do it. That said.... Here is one link: http://www.lnhs.org/hayhurst/geology/specific_gravity.htm Here is a different apparatus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolly_balance
The easiest method is to suspend a double basket like the "jolly" has under a Mettler suspended pan hook ( take off the hanger and pan) and arrange so the lower basket is in a container of water ( I use a cover from a 50 CD spindle) and the upper basket is above the water. You then zero ( or take an initial weight) the suspension. Then put the specimen in the upper basket, weight. Then put into the 2nd basket under water and weigh. then do the math. These are surprisingly accurate also if one doesn't want to modify equipment. http://www.mineralab.com/Specific%20Gravity.htm Jim
The Ohaus has two hooks on the short end of the balance beam. One holds the balance pan at the end of a C-shaped hanger that goes out and down and under an adjustable shelf, while the other can support a wire basket that hangs straight down into a beaker of water that rests on the adjustable shelf. I can do anything down to a gold dollar or up to a three-inch mint medal. TD
