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It's simply a matter of what metal(s) the coin is made from. Some metals like iron, steel, and nickel are attracted to a magnet while others like copper, gold, and silver are not.

Up till recent years iron and steel have rarely been used for coinage because the metals rust easily. That's what happened during WWII when the US struck steel cents to save copper for ammunition. The coins were coated with zinc but as soon as the zinc wore off a bit the coins rusted.

Canada has large supplies of nickel so for many years its 5¢ coins were made of pure nickel and would stick to a magnet. From 1968 to the early part of this century Canadian dimes, quarters, halves, and dollars were made of nickel as well. (US nickels are actually mostly copper so they don't stick, btw.)

Within the last decade new methods have been developed that allow steel to be used more readily, so many countries have switched to steel coins because they're less expensive to produce. As of 2012 the US is very tentatively considering steel coins as well but the decision will likely take years due to political gridlock.

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12y ago

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What coins are magnetic and how can you test their magnetic properties?

Some coins, such as the U.S. penny and nickel, are magnetic due to their composition. You can test their magnetic properties by using a magnet to see if the coin is attracted to it. If the coin sticks to the magnet, it is magnetic.


What type of coins are magnetic?

the ones that lift up when you put a magnet over them.


Are US coins magnetic?

No, most US coins are not magnetic.


Why are some 2ps not magnetic?

Some 2p coins are not magnetic because they are made of different metals such as copper, bronze, or brass that do not contain magnetic properties. These coins may be composed of alloys or combinations of metals that do not exhibit magnetic properties like iron or steel.


Why are silver coins non magnetic?

Silver U.S. coins are made entirely of silver and copper -- neither of which is a magnetic metal. Base metal coins that are magnetic, likely contain some amount of iron -- a magnetic metal, or a high concentration of nickel which is also attracted to a magnet.


Is a piggy bank magnetic?

Some piggy banks may have a magnetic feature to help secure coins in place, but not all piggy banks are magnetic. Magnetic piggy banks are designed with a magnetic base that attracts metal coins to keep them in place.


Are any US coins magnetic?

Yes, some US coins, such as the penny and nickel, are slightly magnetic due to their composition of metals like copper and nickel.


Are loonies magnetic?

No, loonies (the Canadian one-dollar coins) are not magnetic. They are made of a nickel-brass alloy, which does not exhibit magnetic properties. While some coins may contain small amounts of magnetic materials, loonies themselves do not respond to magnets.


Why does old coins attract to a magnet?

Old coins may contain iron or steel components, which can make them slightly magnetic. Coins made of metals like nickel or steel can exhibit magnetic properties due to their composition. Magnetic attraction to old coins is a result of the metal content within the coins.


Is a coin a magnetic material?

a coin maybe magnetic but there are coins that are magnetic and others are not for example a coin coated with GOLD IS NOT MAGNETIC BUT ONE THAT HAS IRON IS MAGNETIC .More answers from other pages


what are magnetic coins?

Magnetic coins are coins that contain a magnetic material, typically a mixture of steel and nickel. These coins are used in countries around the world and can be attracted to magnets due to their composition. The magnetic properties of these coins make them easier to sort and handle in vending machines and coin counters.


Is a copper coin magnetic?

No, copper is not magnetic. However, some coins that appear to be copper are in fact made of steel (which is magnetic), coated with a thin layer of copper. Examples of this include British 1 and 2 pence coins minted in or after 1992; South African 1 and 2 cent coins minted in or after 199; and Canadian 1 cent coins minted in or after 1997.