What metal are coins made from?

Answer 1

Different coins are made of different metals and some coins are laminated layers of different metals. Some of the metals that have been used are:

• copper
• silver
• gold
• nickel
• brass
• bronze
• zinc (used as core of modern US pennies)
• etc.

Answer 2

Depending on the country, the most common metals for current circulating coins include copper-nickel, brass, and steel. Zinc and aluminium are also used for some low-value coins. In a number of cases these metals are combined in layers or with plating, such as euro 1, 2, and 5 cent coins, US 1 cent and 1 dollar coins, and most Canadian Coins. Others use concentric rings of different metals to create a distinctive annular appearance, such as the Canadian $2 coin and €1 and €2 coins.

When precious-metal prices were controlled many high-value coins contained silver and/or gold, usually alloyed with copper for hardness.

Many countries strike special "coins" that are actually bullion pieces intended for sale to collectors and investors. These pieces are often made of high-purity silver or gold, while some are made of expensive metals rarely used in other coinage such as platinum and palladium.