Missing Gold at the Comex? (Serious Doom *and* Major Shenanigans)

[ArmaGoof]

So, basically, unless someone has the equipment and know-how, it is not safe to accept "gold" from just any casual stranger wishing to trade with you.  Or am I being too paranoid?

[Madnsassy]

So, basically, unless someone has the equipment and know-how, it is not safe to accept "gold" from just any casual stranger wishing to trade with you.  Or am I being too paranoid?

Seems to be the direction this thread has evolved to.  I'm getting tempted to go outside and dig up my stash and start biting it.  Well, shit, that's how they did in the old movies.     ( I don't really have a buried stash, of course.)

[houseoftang]

So, basically, unless someone has the equipment and know-how, it is not safe to accept "gold" from just any casual stranger wishing to trade with you.  Or am I being too paranoid?

Folks don't even accept larger paper notes nowadays without checking them, for fear of fraud.  Why would you accept something of real value that's not that hard to counterfeit?

The problem is that the casual stranger, or even close friend, might not know that the gold is counterfeit.

[max_power]

It looks like the store owner in this video was just checking the authenticity with what looks like a common  (or perhaps specialized for precious metals) ohm meter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo1hX-QMQy0 (External Embedding Disabled)

[houseoftang]

It looks like the store owner in this video was just checking the authenticity with what looks like a common ohm meter.

Yup.  If you know the weight (notice he weighs it first) you can figure out the resistance it should have if it's the right metal.  That would help detect the tungsten-resin fraud with gold coins, among other frauds.

[Madnsassy]

Oh, people, just stick with paper currency.  At least you'll be able to wipe your ass with it when all else fails.