What even is this? St Gaudens $20, gold plated, .999 silver

Anyone know who makes these and if they're really gold plated .999 silver?



If you can't see, it says:

copy
.999 silver

On the back towards the bottom.

I bought them from a business owner who I also bought some silver eagles and Silvertowne bars from. He told me it's .999 silver. Should have denied, but he'd probably be willing to refund me if it's not worth what I paid: $31.50
Or I could burn down/burglarize his shop, but perhaps you fine people will save the day.

 

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My guess is that it's plated or a novelty. I'd give it back.

 

What do you mean plated? It's supposed to be silver plated in gold.

 

Looks just like this one:

http://www.coinsofamerica.com/1933-double-eagle-replica-gp-m089.html

 

Thank you!

 

These were heavily advertised on TV for a while as collectors' items. The general rule is that if something is advertised as a collector's item, it isn't.

No numismatic value; value is pretty much precious metal content only, and I don't see anything on the piece to say how much silver is there. However, if it is in fact an ounce of silver, you did OK.