What chemical properties are required in a coin?

Answer 1

Most general circulation coins are made of alloys - combinations of brass, zinc, copper, nickel etc.

Collector coins are still made of gold and silver. .999 silver and for some recent gold coins .9999

Answer 2

Up till 1964 U.S. dimes, quarters, halves, and (earlier) dollars were normally made of an alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper. Other countries have used different alloys with silver contents ranging from 95% down to less than 50%.

Modern dimes, quarters, and halves do not contain any silver at all. They have outer layers composed of 75% copper / 25% nickel, which gives them a somewhat silvery appearance but in reality is darker and less reflective than the silver alloy it replaced.

Dollars are of course made of brass to give them a distinctive golden appearance.

Answer 3

Metals can bond with other metals easier than nonmetals and metalloids can. Since metals can be quite expensive, this is good, because you can make a coin using less metal and a nonmetal or metalloid while being able to retain the durability of the coin.

Answer 4

For modern U.S. coinage, the metals used are copper, nickel, and/or zinc. Sacagawea/Presidential dollar coins also have a bit of manganese.

Answer 5

- to be not reactive
- to be not toxic

Answer 6

The alloy of a coin must be nontoxic and resistant to corrosion and errosion.

Answer 7

The alloy of coins must be nontoxic, resistant to corrosion and errosion, nonreactive.

Answer 8

gold,silver,and zinc

Answer 9

Nickel, Zinc, Copper, Iron