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Posted 12/12/2015 5:49 pm
I agree that they are not particularly lovely.
In response to the question about billon, here is what Wikipedia says:
In response to the question about billon, here is what Wikipedia says:
Quote:
Billon ... is an alloy of a precious metal (most commonly silver, but also mercury) with a majority base metal content (such as copper).
The use of billon coins dates from ancient Greece and continued through the Middle Ages. During the 6th and 5th centuries BC, some cities on Lesbos Island used coins made of 60% copper and 40% silver. In both ancient times and the Middle Ages, leaner mixtures were adopted, with less than 2% silver content.
Billon ... is an alloy of a precious metal (most commonly silver, but also mercury) with a majority base metal content (such as copper).
The use of billon coins dates from ancient Greece and continued through the Middle Ages. During the 6th and 5th centuries BC, some cities on Lesbos Island used coins made of 60% copper and 40% silver. In both ancient times and the Middle Ages, leaner mixtures were adopted, with less than 2% silver content.
Edited by Numisma
12/12/2015 5:50 pm
12/12/2015 5:50 pm
