Million-Dollar Gold Discoveries that Are Worth Only Pennies

Did you ever find a gold collectible that looked like it was worth a ton of money… but which turned out to be worth only a few pennies or dollars? If that has happened to you, don’t feel ashamed. It happens to everyone who goes hunting for gold. Sooner or later, we all learn the hard way that the world is full of priceless-looking gold items that are worth a dollar or two at most.

But let’s learn a little more. Here are some items that appear much more valuable than they really are.

Gold Phonograph Records

While you’re cruising the items for sale at an estate sale, you find a framed gold record for a top-selling old LP or 45 like the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” or Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

“Wow,” you think, “it’s a gold record and it must be worth a fortune.”

Sorry to throw a wet blanket on your cushy bed of instant riches, but odds are that your discovery is not made of pure 24K gold, or even a lesser gold alloy. It is almost definitely an inexpensive collectible, nothing more than a vinyl disk that has been plated with a very thin layer of gold-toned plastic or other material to make it look like the authentic award that the Beatles or Sinatra received at a ceremony.

Yes, it’s probably only worth a few dollars. But if you discover one, give us a call at 800-426-2344 and we will be happy to tell you whether there is a chance that it is really a gold record that is worth thousands of dollars. If you are not sure what you have, why not invest a few minutes to learn more? 

Trophies, Plaques and Other Awards

Most gold-toned plaques and trophies made over the last 25 years contain very little gold. They are made of base metal that has been electroplated with the thinnest possible layer of gold and are not worth recycling. However, many awards that were manufactured before about 1975 are gold-filled, not thinly plated, and contain enough gold to recycle profitably. If you are not sure what you have, call our precious metals consultants at 800-426-2344 and let’s talk things over. We can test your gold commemoratives and you can stop wondering.

Gold-Toned CDs and DVDs

The era of the DVD and the CD is just about over. But what if you find a cache of gold-toned disks that were manufactured to commemorate a special movie or music recording? Are they gold? If you have enough of them to recycle profitably, are they worth a fortune? Chances are slim, but as the old saying goes, “You never know.” Call us at 800-426-2344 and let’s talk about them.

And What About Gold-Plated Sports Memorabilia and Other Collectibles?

Over the decades, all kinds of items have been plated with gold and given as awards at fancy dinners. Famous orchestra conductors, including Arturo Toscanini, were awarded gold batons. Great hockey players have been given miniature gold-plated hockey pucks and sticks. Great golfers have gotten gold-plated clubs, balls and tees. And pool champions like the immortal Willie Mosconi played their game with pool cues that were adorned with gold and silver accents. All those items are still out there somewhere.

So, what do you have? Even in a time when thinly plated awards and commemorative items can fool you… you never know. Call Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners at 800-426-2344 and talk to the experts.

Related Posts:

Congratulations! You Just Won an Olympic Gold-Toned Medal Made of Base Metal 
Why the Gold Kentucky Derby Trophy Could Be the Most Valuable Trophy Ever Made 
What You Need to Know about Investing in Gold Medals 
Discoveries of Gold and Silver Encourage Us All to Keep Hunting for Precious Metals