No, not guilt, gilt, I saw this label when @lordmarcovan posted his amazing set of 20 coins. Some examples of what I'm talking about (from pcgs and ha.com): George III gilt Proof Penny 1797 PR62 Deep Cameo PCGS British Indian. Bombay Presidency gilt-copper Proof 1/2 Pice 1804 PR64 Cameo NGC Can anyone clarify on this?
If these were made this way (genuine British Mint product) or "altered" by being plated "outside" the mint = fraudulently altered!
I've never heard of "gilt" as being just color, only of actual gold. But also never "gilt on a gold coin". One of yours says "gilt copper" and the other I presume is also a copper or bronze coin underneath the gold. Various french coins (bronze typically) have been gilt, and certainly medals are gilt. Gilt silver is often called "vermeil".
Okay, should've looked at pcgs glossary. Would the coins surface already be proof before the plating or did plating give it the proof surface?
"Gilt" describes the gold color. It can be applied to a proof or non-Proof surface. Many types of plating are capable of reflecting light as a PL would.
Is the purpose for gold plating coins the same today as it was then? Also, what's the difference between old and current methods of plating?
Most plating today is by electrical reduction of dissolved metallic cations ( anions can also be done by electrical oxidation of anions. This process was invented in the early 1800s and used after the 1840s or so. Before that the metal foil used an adhesive to adhere to other objects ( gold foil usually about 10K for strength) to imply solid gold structures. I have some sheaths of gold foil I have used with adhesive in art projects. I have no idea of actual use on these coins, but suspect adhesive and force.
