I have a bar of some sort of metal my grandfather got from vietnam. Any help? (Pictures)?

Question

My mother asked me to check in to it. She's been t oa few places and no one seems to know anything about it. On the side there is a marking which looks like the roman numeral IKII. Pictures can be viewed at this link.

http://s510.photobucket.com/albums/s342/hyper0977/

Answer 1

it doesn't appear to be anything special but, if that's the case, why the hallmark? it also has a very odd shape. it might be french. if you have any colleges or universiries in your area, take it to someone in the history dept., maybe they can be of help.

Answer 2

I have seen similar pieces of metal here in New Zealand.The chinese use them for weighing purposes.I would say that bar you have is the same thing.It probably weighs a certain amount.Hope this helps?

Answer 3

There's no K that I'm aware of in roman numerals. Roman numerals are:



I = 1

V = 5

X = 10

L = 50

C = 100

D = 500

M = 1,000

These numbers are then placed in certain combinations to represent various numbers. II being 2, IV being 4, XL being 40, etc.

A line paced over V through M represent's the above numbers in in thousands through 1 million. This also holds true of a line placed over IV (also represented as a line over MV) to represent 4,000.

IKII could be a makers mark.

However, that mark looks more like two lines, a triangle on it's side dividing a rectangle, followed by two more lines. I'd say that definately is a maker's mark. Except for what looks like rust near the marking, I'd say it were silver. That rust could suggest iron. But silver might make more sense and the rust is something other than rust. I'm saying this as the bar looks almost like an ingot as might be formed for precious metals rather than something like iron or steel. And precious metals might also include makers marks, which might also be meant to represent weight in addition to the maker.

Try taking the bar to an assayer, they should be able to tell you what the metal is.

Answer 4

If I were you, I would take it either to a historical society or museum. They can probably identify it for you

Answer 5

Not being able to touch it, I would guess it is either lead or a silver bar.

Answer 6

it is a counter weight from a scale