USB Type-A Female Port Shielding Component
Electronic Hardware Accessory (Non-Silver) · Generic electronic component manufacturer (e.g., Foxconn, Amphenol, or various OEM suppliers). This is not an artisan silver piece.
Pattern: Standard Computer Hardware Component; not an artistic collection or pattern.
Type
Electronic Hardware Accessory (Non-Silver)
Maker
Generic electronic component manufacturer (e.g., Foxconn, Amphenol, or various OEM suppliers). This is not an artisan silver piece.
Material
Tin-plated steel or brass with a gold-colored flash/wash finish. It contains 0% silver and is a base-metal industrial part.
Dimensions
Approx. 14mm x 12mm x 7mm; weight is negligible (less than 2 grams).
Description
This is a utilitarian electronic component, specifically the metal shell/shielding for a USB Type-A female connection port. It has been detached from its circuit board. The gold appearance is a thin chemical coating over a base metal, typical for preventing oxidation in electronic contact areas. It has no relation to fine silverware or jewelry.
Key Features
Rectangular housing, front-facing tension clips, side mounting tabs, and lack of fine metal hallmarks.
Material & Composition
Tin-plated steel or brass with a gold-colored flash/wash finish. It contains 0% silver and is a base-metal industrial part.
Finish & Decoration
Industrial gold-tone electroplating for corrosion resistance and conductivity. Features mechanical stamping and machine-pressed tension tabs.
Hallmarks & Stamps
None. There are no silver hallmarks or maker's marks visible. There may be micro-stamped batch numbers on the interior of the part, but these are for industrial tracking, not silver authentication.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped from a flat sheet of alloy and folded into a rectangular box shape. Features die-cut slots and integrated spring-tension clips for mounting.
Functional Features
Tension tabs for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and grounding; female socket housing for USB Type-A connections.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable; this is an internal electronic component designed to be soldered to a PCB.
Craftsmanship Details
Purely industrial, machine-made precision with no evidence of hand-tooling or artisan silver-smithing.
Authentication Indicators
The object lacks any sterling or silver purity marks. Its construction (industrial stamping) and function (electronic interface) confirm it is not silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely East Asian industrial manufacturing (China, Taiwan, or Vietnam). It was mass-produced using high-speed stamping presses.
Era & Period
Modern Technology Era (late 1990s – present). Context: The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard was introduced in 1996.
Age Estimate
Circa 2000–2020. This specific part appears to be a salvaged or broken port from a modern computer or charging brick.
Cultural Significance
Symbolizes the era of digital connectivity and the mass production of disposable consumer electronics.
Condition Notes
Poor/Damaged. The shielding has been roughly removed from its device, showing bent mounting legs and structural warping.
Value Estimate
No numismatic, antique, or scrap silver value. Estimated market value: 0.00 USD (scrap metal/e-waste).
Care & Maintenance
Not applicable for conservation. In electronics, keep dry to avoid oxidation of the base metal.
Similar Pieces
Compare to USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports found on any standard laptop or desktop computer; very different from silver thimbles or snuff boxes which share a similar size.
Interesting Facts
Despite its gold color, the 'gold flash' plating on such components is usually only a few micro-inches thick, worth less than a fraction of a cent.