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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,572 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
838 Posts |
Here in Canada, our loonies are kind of like your Sac/Pres dollars. The size and color are the almost the same, and I wouldn't be surprised if the compositions are close too.
Anyhow, our loonies don't seem to retain their gold-colored luster very well after 1-2 years in the open.
Should I be careful to seal up my Sac/Pres dollars too?
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Moderator
 Australia
16817 Posts |
The compositions for the two coins are significantly different. Canadian loonies have a nickel core with a plating of "aureate bronze" - 88% copper, 12% tin. With the high nickel content, a loonie will stick to a magnet. American "golden" dollars have a pure copper core and are clad (not plated) with a layer comprised of 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese and 4% nickel. The nickel content isn't high enough for a magnet to stick to it. Yet the surfaces of these coins, as well as British pounds, Australian dollars, the 10 20 and 50 eurocents and other "yellowish" coins, are basically all different kinds of brass, and will tarnish in much the same way as brass. As a general rule, the more complicated the alloy, the less stable it is long-term. There are some exceptions (like stainless steels) but the alloy used to make "golden" dollars aren't among those exceptions. And like loonies, the golden colour of US dollars quickly degrades to brownish-olive after a couple of years of heavy circulation, as can be seen in Ecuador where they actually do circulate. The tropical climate there doesn't help, either. The Americans selected their "golden dollar" alloys primarily so they matched the electromagnetic signature of the older Susan B Anthony dollars, so they'd all work in vending machines on the same settings. Long-term stability of appearance wasn't a high priority for them. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Guess he just said it all. Of course with our baby sized dollars we may never know since so few are ever used. Most sit in banks or in those silly folders for them. However, to be safe, not sorry, place yours in something to protect them. In a few hundred years they may be worth something.  |
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Valued Member
United States
364 Posts |
Yep -- about a dollar each ;)
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
Quote:
Long-term stability of appearance wasn't a high priority for them. Thanks for being kind SAP.  Honestly, the business or commercial coinage of the US is tuning to real junk. When I must break a badly corroded Saki out of a US Mint roll I just received, to prevent it from spreading, you know there's a problem with the coinage.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Honestly, the business or commercial coinage of the US is tuning to real junk. Turning? Has been that way for a long time now. I always wondered why the Mint just doesn't make out coins out of something that will self distruct in 5 years. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2448 Posts |
One can only write so many letters. Congress needs a hearing aid.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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When I must break a badly corroded Saki out of a US Mint roll I just received, to prevent it from spreading, you know there's a problem with the coinage. Does it still spend? If yes, then it satisfies the purpose for which it was made. Business strike coins are made to provide a medium of circulation - PERIOD. They are not intended to be "collectibles" and are not intended to be super high quality for you to put away and treasure. They only need to be identifiable, usable in vending machines, and maybe buying a Big Mac. If they can do that, they're good. |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,572 |
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Posted 12/13/2010 02:26 am
