“Rust-covered gold coins recovered from the S.S. Central America steamship that went down in a hurricane in 1857, sit in small containers filled with water while being restored in a laboratory”
Gold doesn’t rust... at all. It’s a noble metal.
While pure gold is unaffected by saltwater, gold alloys—such as 18K gold, which contains other metals like copper or silver—can be more susceptible to corrosion or tarnishing over time, especially if exposed to harsh environments................
No, gold doesn’t rust - but if is near iron, the rust from iron oxidizing will adhere to the surface of the gold.