What are the "requirements" for a silver round or medal to be "marked" . . . ?

I recently picked up a few interesting exonumia items, mainly because I liked the designs, but a couple I suspected, were minted of silver. Seller "felt" inexperienced, listed a lot of baseball cards, clothing, random "antique" items. Not much information on the medal except what was visible in the not so great photos.

So I get them in. Purchased at half melt IF they are silver. They have a bit of tarnish consistent with what you would see on an older silver round. The are 39mm in diameter, 31.1 grams just as you would expect for a silver round, but no edge markings or anything in the devices that would indicate silver.

I tried Googling and TokenCataloging the pieces to no avail.

So the question: If a minted strike is made of silver, is it required to bear some type of mark indicating such?

Thanks in advance.

Z

 

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Maybe, maybe not, but it would sure help if you could post photos for us.

 

Here is one recent arrival.

Z

 

No, but usually if it was they would because it would help in marketing the product. Without marking my first assumption would be that it isn't silver. Tissue or XRF test would be helpful but not conclusive due to the possibility of plating. A specific gravity test would probably be more revealing.

 

They have one coming up in October. Contact information provided in link.
Hope it works out.
https://www.texrenfest.com/contact-us

 

Interesting.
Worthpoint has some listed in copper, .999 silver and sterling.

I my opinion, if the maker was proud of it they marked it.

I'd check it first with a strong magnet, if silver it should be somewhat manipulated by the magnet.

 

Cool round! Just a thought, have you checked the edge for markings? I have come across at least one silver round before with edge lettering denoting the fineness.

 

The rules used to go the other way. There was no requirement for a silversmith to hallmark their work. However, faking hallmarks was seriously punished.

Thus the tacit assumption, if it's NOT marked, it's probably not (solid) silver.

 

The rules used to go the other way. There was no requirement for a silversmith to hallmark their work. However, faking hallmarks was seriously punished.

Thus the tacit assumption, if it's NOT marked, it's probably not (solid) silver.

 

Nope, nothing on the edge, but the weight and beginning toning give me hope.

I reached out to the organizer of the festival. Now to wait for a reply.

Z

 

Probably silver plated but I can’t say for sure. The first one was issued by the Royal Mint. Both were issued for the Texas Renaissance festival. The top one may be silver but the bottom doesn’t really like it. I would think they were souvenir pieces.