Found metal

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Check your fillings with a magnet, it is a better test then using a compass.
ZDD

 

[Reck Diver]

That's about as ridiculous as Jim's comments.

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To the amateur, sure it sounds romantic to "find a valuable shipwreck" - but let's talk reality. First of all... Let's say it is silver (which I doubt). What would be the value of the bar (it's not a bar... it's a cylinder, and it's 1 foot long by 1.5" diameter - highly unlikely that it's silver bar)? At $28 an ounce... not much. If it's a historic piece from a historic shipwreck, then MAYBE you can get more value for it. But how? You need provenance. Without that, you just have a lump of silver. Big whoop. How do you get provenance? You have to be legitimate, and not a pirate. Conducting illegal salvage would probably cost you a hell of a lot more than doing it the right way, and filing a salvage claim.

As for the "poor Mel Fisher" comments also made. Really? Look at what trouble Mel Fisher went though, but look at the reward. Hundreds of millions of dollars, a hugely successful company, a museum, and more.

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If you want some real advice. Figure out what the metal is yourself. Like I said earlier, you can buy a kit, or just do some simple science. The density of silver is approximately 10.49 g/cm³ The density of lead is 11.34 g/cm³. If there's other sediment on it, you can clean it with muriatic acid, and that will remove any sea growth and corrosion. I'll say this though. Silver doesn't look silver when you find it. Silver is generally encrusted with sand and makes a concretion. If it's not in a concretion, it's probably black and unrecognizable. I have first hand experience in this.

Howard is giving dead on correct advice.

 

[Gilldiver]

If it attracts a magnet it could also be nickel another possibility is Antimony

 

[abnfrog]

i worked for mel for a summer in 79 he went through alot, even losing his son .....................

 

[technicalbeast]

take a small piece out if it and try to melt it if it is melted soon so it is lead......other wise MONEY>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[OldNSalty]

Could it be pewter? Which would be worth...notta except for historical value.