Electronic Printed Circuit Board Component with Gold Wire Bonding
Raw Gold / E-Waste Scrap (Microchip Component) · Yellow Gold (Micro-fine bonding wire and plating traces)
Purity: Trace/Variable (Typically 99.9% fine gold wire bonding, very small total mass)
Type
Raw Gold / E-Waste Scrap (Microchip Component)
Purity
Trace/Variable (Typically 99.9% fine gold wire bonding, very small total mass)
Gold Type
Yellow Gold (Micro-fine bonding wire and plating traces)
Weight
Fraction of a gram of recoverable precious metals per piece
Description
A fragmented piece of printed circuit board featuring visible micro-electronic pathways, contact pads, and microchip die attachment areas. While it contains microscopic amounts of gold used for high-conductivity wire bonding and pin plating, it is classified as e-waste scrap rather than jewelry or bullion.
Key Features
Intricate micro-traces, square central die area, gold wire bonding pads, green fiberglass base
Color & Finish
Green fiberglass substrate with metallic gold traces and bonding pads
Hallmarks & Stamps
None applicable (industrial electronic component markings only)
Dimensions Estimate
Approximately 1 inch by 1 inch square fragment
Gemstones & Inlays
None, contains silicon die and substrate materials
Clasp & Closure
None applicable
Chain & Links
None applicable
Craftsmanship Details
Precision micro-lithography and automated wire bonding typical of semiconductor manufacturing
Authentication Indicators
Visual inspection shows typical micro-circuitry layouts; actual gold content requires destructive refining or XRF analysis
Origin & Maker
Generic electronic manufacturing (computer, smartphone, or processor scrap)
Era & Period
Contemporary / Late 20th to Early 21st Century
Age Estimate
Circa 1990s-2010s production
Cultural Significance
Represents the modern digital age, technological advancement, and the growing economic importance of urban mining and electronic recycling.
Condition Notes
Damaged, fragmented, and broken industrial scrap with physical wear and oxidation
Value Estimate
Nominal scrap value based strictly on the microscopic quantity of recoverable precious metals (pennies per piece unless processed in bulk)
Care & Maintenance
Requires safe handling due to potential exposure to heavy metals or sharp fiberglass edges; store dry if collecting for scrap
Similar Items
Computer CPU chips, RAM sticks, gold-plated connector pins, and mobile phone logic boards
Interesting Facts
Millions of tons of electronic waste are discarded annually, containing billions of dollars in recoverable gold, silver, and palladium, often making e-waste richer in gold per ton than mined ore.