People should start buying gold in the half bar. Only accept it after it’s been sheared in half leaving the center exposed.
There is a test that dearlers can use. Dealers seem to use an acid test, which of course tests the surface. But the surface of these is gold, so it passes. but there are tests that are acoustic or magnetic/electrical which can test for tungsten inside gold. Dealers just need to use them.
No need. Portable X-ray Fluorescence instruments are easily available and can readily distinguish between tungsten and gold. Non-destructive, no cutting/shearing needed.
Or circulation golden eagles.
That would quickly show the problem, because tungsten is very much harder than gold, and a tool designed to shear gold would barf on the tungsten core. However, a low-frequency resistance measurement should also show up suspicious ingots.
Have I got a deal for you. I’ll cut them in half on my own bandsaw for free!