18K Old Gold?

[Lookn4Seated]

Went out to an old homestead site I found on the 1861 plat maps and the first signal I dug was an 1907 IH. Second signal was a 46-D Roosecelt dime, and then I got a solid quarter signal at about 7 inches. I couldn't find the target for the life of me, until I saw what looked like a copper disc. I thought I had finally found my LC.

It wasn't a largie, and I couldn't really tell what it was. I thought it may be a pipe fitting and just threw it in my junk pocket. When I got home, it was on my mind so I decided to clean it off to see what kind of a fitting it was. A RING Fitting is what I discovered, and on top of that it is stamped 18K! It must be old due to the color and design. And especially the font of the "18K".

I don't know how to go about cleaning it so I don't ruin it. Any suggestions?

I attached a bunch of photos of what it looked like dirty and then cleaned up just a little bit. I will update photos once I clean it thoroughly. Enjoy and HH!

 

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[romeo-1]

Nope...it was plated...It was common to forge rings at the time to deceive potential buyers.

 

[underdogger]

That is still quite the find . wtg Rob

 

[garthbfan169]

Very kool find lookin WTG

 

[JimBeHuntin']

Congratz ... still a cool ring find even if it was plated with gold!

 

[thrillathahunt]

This is a perfect example of why the National Gold and Silver Stamping Act was enacted in 1906. Many rings prior to this date were stamped as 18k that were only plated.

It is still a very nice and historic find!

 

[thrillathahunt]

By the way, I wouldn't clean it, I would leave it exactly as is.

 

[DigginThePast]

Cool find. Another vote to leave it as is.

 

[Merf]

That,s a great find Jon

Congrats my friend.

 

[fatsmahoney]

I also found one like yours not as ornate tho it appears to be copper plated with gold look close you can see that it is stamped 18k

 

[allen]

that will make a good conversational piece !!