Syracuse Smelting Nickel? Bars w/Indian Chief

[goodoldstuff]

Hi! I Googled "Syracuse Smelting" and came across one of your threads where someone was asking about some silver bars. I am hoping that someone can tell me more about these bars. The thread I read sounded like a second thread and I wasn't completely clear about it. My husband and I just bought a very old wooden box with 12 bars in it that sound remarkably similar at an auction, except these bars have two wonderful profiles of an Indian chief with a stars and stripes emblem. The bars were described as lead by the auction company, but we think that they may be nickel. I'm attaching a couple of pictures. They are 8 1/2" long, 2" wide and 3/4" thick. Their weights vary slightly from about 3 lbs. 3 oz to about 3 lbs 10 oz. Any info or value that anyone could give me would be most appreciated! Thanks!

[Whitesdfx]

those are awsome I will do some loking around for you

[EPC Guy]

Those are really nice relics! Wish I could tell you something about them...but I CAN welcome you to TQ!

[gordiesgirl]

Sorry I can't help you but those are awesome. Really good deal may I ask what you paid for them?

[goodoldstuff]

Thank you very much! I was hoping you wouldn't mind me posting here even though I don't do metal detecting. I am a treasure hunter though!

[The TINMAN]

Welcome to TQ. Have no idea about them but they are really Cool. I'm sure someone on here may be able to help you '

Good Luck & HH.
The TINMAN

[goodoldstuff]

Originally Posted by gordiesgirl

Sorry I can't help you but those are awesome. Really good deal may I ask what you paid for them?

We think they are awesome too. I think we got a great deal when we paid $125 for the wooden box containing 12 of the bars. Of course, I have been wrong before!

[DougsGraphics]

GoodOldStuff:

I think what you have is a bunch of bars of a tin alloy called "American Marine Genuine". You can find it listed under the ASM Alloy Center here: ASM Alloy Center: Alloy Finder (look under Metal\Nonferrous alloy\Tin\Unclassified tin\ALPHA to ASARCOLO\AMERICAN MARINE GENUINE\)

As I am not a member, (but might be able to get information from work) I cannot access the details of the site. Maybe someone else here can -- any material scientists out there?

Also, welcome to TQ fellow treasure hunter!

Oh, and be sure to wash your hands after handling the metal -- wouldn't want your or yours getting sick from metal poisoning; the alloy probably contains some amount of lead.

[MinelabMan]

Originally Posted by goodoldstuff

We think they are awesome too. I think we got a great deal when we paid $125 for the wooden box containing 12 of the bars. Of course, I have been wrong before!

Hi and welcome to TQ.

I think you did great, if they're Nickel, Congratulations! See the chart, Nickel was almost $14 per pound on 10/4's close. Over $500 for your $125, nice ROI!

But....not so good if they're lead, you paid about twice as much as spot ($1.72/lb.). But they are nice looking and probably old, so they may have some collectable value.

Let's hope they're Nickel!

[bigbillinsc]

i believe what you have is called an anode...

sacrificial metal anode...

they are often pure zinc but some are an alloy of tin and zinc...

they are used in marine/saltwater aplications when steel needs protection. the alloy corrodes much faster than ferrous metals and so corrosion seeks it out. they are used on boats and dock and bridges.

i may be wrong but it is the best guess i can come up with