Do pennies quarters nickels and dimes rust?

Answer 1

Most coins don't rust. In common terminology rust is a form of iron oxide and occurs only when a ferrous metal such as iron or steel is exposed to air and moisture. Many coins issued around the world are instead made of metals that aren't subject to rusting; e.g. nickel, copper, aluminium, etc. These metals can still oxidize but the damage is almost always far less than what would happen to unprotected steel.

Some countries, though, make coins from ferrous metals because they're less expensive than non-rusting alternatives. In these cases the steel is plated or bonded with some kind of non-ferrous metal (usually nickel or copper) to prevent direct air contact.

There were cases of steel-based coins rusting before modern plating techniques were developed. Among others:

• In 1943 the US minted 1-cent coins from scrap steel to save copper for making ammunition. The coins were plated with zinc but if the underlying steel was exposed by damage or general wear, the coins quickly rusted and became unusable.
• Following WWII, low-denomination German coins were made of steel with an outer coating of copper or brass. Sometimes the coins' edges would be exposed which allowed rust to form.

Also, countries have sometimes issued coins made of unplated zinc. While zinc isn't ferrous it can still oxidize heavily, forming a white powder on the coins' surfaces.

Answer 2

Yes If u put them in water

With one exception, U.S. coins have not been made of ferrous (i.e. iron or steel-based) metals, so they cannot rust in the standard sense of the word. However older silver coins tarnished and modern copper-nickel or brass coins can oxidize. They can also corrode if exposed to water containing various corrosive chemicals.

The only major exception occurred in 1943 when the Mint struck cents out of zinc-coated steel because copper was needed to make ammunition. The zinc coating tended to wear off and the underlying steel then rusted.

Answer 3

no, but they do corrode