white metal vs silver

Two medals of the same so called dollar are on Ebay. No mention of the metal is really given. I am suspecting one is silver and the other white metal. One has a few more dings in it and the other has rust.
1. Would silver be the softer metal and more likely to be dinged?
2. Does White metal rust more easily than silver?
Thanks

 

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Really unanswerable, it depends on what "white metal" is. Silver will tarnish, and those colors that are natural are recognizable to coin collectors. Any kind of rust color is not normal in silver.

Hate to punt, but I have Chinese counterfeits in "white metal" that is both harder and softer than silver, so no way to know really.

Have you asked the seller?

 

I have not asked the seller. You answered my question though. I am going to take a chance that one is silver. One definitely has rust on it. The other does not. I also think that one is smaller. How can you tell a forgery?

 

There's a number of diagnostics used... size, weight, specific gravity, "ring", feel, etc... but tougher to tell from photos alone. Post the links to the two eBay auctions and some of the members here on CT can voice their opinions.

 

Which SCD is it? I'll look it up for you in the Hibler/Kappen SCD book.

Chris

 

Usually an alloy such as aluminum.

 

Aluminum isn't an alloy.

Chris

 

True... it's an element. Anyway, "white metal" apparently can be a number of different combinations of various metals according to our friends at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_metal

 

Thanks Chris that was one of the first books I bought. The major distinguishing item between the two is the size difference one is 57mm and the other 41mm. The picture of the one in question shows the SCD being held between fingers and not the thumb and fingers. I do not believe a 57mm medal could be held that way easily. I think someone else thinks this also because the bid for one is now much higher than the other. Maybe I am wrong about this only time will tell.

 

These are the pictures as shown on Ebay. Before I bid any more I need feedback PLEASE.

 

It definately doesn't look like silver; it has the look of aged aluminum or zinc.

 

I was referring to aluminum alloy, where alloys are melted with aluminum. Not aluminum is an alloy, which I know it isn't.

 

White metal can also be nickel, German Silver, Feuchtwanger's metal, and also copper+nickel+zinc; The latter three being of various proportions. (Note that German Silver does not actually contain silver.)

 

I would suggest the SCD pictured is aluminum /alloy .

 

Thanks for the input, I have stopped bidding on this. The price was getting a bit steep for me, and the SCD does have some dings on it. It is not worth it to keep on going when I see others that I like more.

 

You did right New by not bidding anymore. If you're not sure about something you just have to back off and move on to something else.

Bruce

 

There were two of those, in much better condition, on the 'bay...one 'white metal', and one silver (both attributed with the Eglit #), last night (checked after seeing this thread) and both seemed to be much nicer than the one you posted. I checked again just now, and notice that the silver one is now gone. Should I ask if you got the silver one (it WAS a much nicer example). Hope it was you that got it.

 

I am afraid not. I saw the other white metal one and was close to getting it, but I did not watch the countdown and lost that one also. I did not see the silver one. Oh well such is life on Ebay.