is this brass or gold?

[Moe (fl)]

Found this a few feet from the edge of the surf at low tide.

Is this brass or gold?

Should I clean it or leave as is?

thanks.
Moe

 

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[Montana Jim]

Why do you think it might be gold?

I thought gold always looked like gold... that looks like bronze or brass...

I am however fairly "gold-tarded" so I may be way off...

 

[Moe (fl)]

I have seen pics of gold pieces found in salt water that showed some green patina. I guess it has to do with the percent of gold and some copper alloy in the object. Perhaps some experts can help clarify.

thanks for the reply!

 

[Ant]

Copper, because the green verdigris patina is clearly visible, and it’s surely isn’t 10k gold or purer.

Try soaking it in house hold ammonia for a couple of hours. The ammonia should starts to dissolves the verdigris, if it's copper you should be able to see what the origonal metal looks like after the soak.
Hope this helps

 

[Montana Jim]

I have seen pics of gold pieces found in salt water that showed some green patina. I guess it has to do with the percent of gold and some copper alloy in the object. Perhaps some experts can help clarify.

thanks for the reply!

That's interesting... I can see a mixed alloy having patina...

I am admittedly not an expert...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

piece of copper sheathing maybe. nail hole maybe? the surf will pick up light pieces and throw them on the beach. it is also disintegrating from the waves. i find many aluminum pieces just like that in the surf or on the beach at lo tide.

 

[bradyboy]

I concor, copper

 

[detector dave]

Most likley copper, not gold. Gold will never tarnish.

 

[dennisdunigan]

I agree not Gold.