Metals that are used in manufacturing coins are chosen specifically for such purpose and to ensure that it can be of service in the long run. Coins have special requirements and purpose as per the conditions that they’ll encounter. The metal that is used should therefore be of high-grade and can withstand tear and wear. Hence, the coins are typically made from metal alloys.

Repurposing of Metals and Coins

However, care needs to be applied to make sure that the metal’s value within the coin will always be greater than its face value. This will allow smelters to repurpose the coin by melting and reselling them. To be able to solve this challenge, coins are now manufactured from the combination of various metals like cupro-nickel. This is silver in color that has remarkable striking and hard-wearing properties. For coins, this plays an imperative role in its design.

For Special Purposes Only

Coins from the US are made using varieties of metals. Exotic metals similar to gold and silver were used by the US mint for creating coins.

On the other hand, because of the increasing cost of such metals, they’re now used for the production of collector’s coins or bullion coins. Other metals similar to nickel, zinc and copper are more commonly used for producing ordinary coins.