Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Stripping gold from silver dollars to restore them

Q. Disclaimer: I am not in the business. I am a person who stumbled upon this website while doing a search regarding gold plate stripping. Today, I purchased a genuine Eisenhower (silver clad) silver dollar at an antique show for a great price. Trouble is: it was plated with gold. Is there any way I can remove the plating without harming the coin?

Thank you,

Chris Arthur
postal worker - Columbus, Ohio
2003

A. You can use 1 gm gold chloride + 5 to 10 gm water etching solution! Object must be immersed in solution (connected to + of 9V battery, piece of stainless steel to -)!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia

Multiple threads were merged: please forgive repetition, chronology errors, or disrespect towards other postings [they weren't on the same page] :-)

Remove Gold from plated silver dollar

Q. I have a 1900 silver dollar that I had gold plated many years ago to use on a necklace. I would now prefer to remove all the plating. What can I do that's reasonably simple.

Elaine Michelson
- Tamarac, FL, USA
February 8, 2009

A. Elaine,
There are ways to strip the gold or to employ reverse current stripping. The chemicals and equipment needed could be dangerous to you. A good old fashioned Jeweler in your area could use a mild abrasive on a buffing wheel to get the gold off and then polish the silver so you have a great looking coin! It should not cost that much.

Mark Baker
Fellow Plater - Syracuse, New York, USA

Multiple threads were merged: please forgive repetition, chronology errors, or disrespect towards other postings [they weren't on the same page] :-)

Q. How can you remove gold plating from a 1923 Silver dollar. It has turned very dark. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Marsha Simpson
- McKinney Texas USA
July 17, 2015

1923 Silver Dollars on eBay

A. Hi Marsha. Your inquiry sounds very similar to previous ones. The best way to remove the plating is to polish it off -- especially because it your case i sounds like he gold and silver diffused. But if this is your first attempt at jewelry polishing you'll be putting your memorabilia at risk. Taking it to a jeweler is an option, but maybe not an affordable one. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Thank you
I will check with a professional.

Marsha Simpson [returning]
- McKinney Texas USA

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: