Within the last decade, the composition of coins have gone through many changes, mostly 'downgrade'. Up to the depression era, coins were struck in high value metals such as nickel, copper, silver, gold. This is pre-fiat currency where coins were back with some meaningful value. Today's coinage are now replaced with base metal alloy or plated coins such as copper-nickel or nickel plated steel. This is not unique to this era as this is seen in Roman or early Chinese cash coinage. The biggest change in metal composition happened during WWI and WWII where metals such as copper and nickel were used for ammunition. This has created interesting base metal coinage such as lead, zinc, tin, aluminum. Some coins were struck with non-metal composition such as ceramic, cloth or even coal! Rough timeline of when different types of metals were last used. This does not include alloys. Some countries still issue coins with high metal content but these are not common, i.e. Japan 10 yen. Gold: mostly to depression era (1930s) Silver: 1960s Nickel: 1960s - 70s Copper: 1980s In today's world, it seems that plated steel coins are getting common for many coins around the world. Steel is a relatively hard metal compared to the traditional base metals. While they would be harder to work with, these last much longer in circulation thus better cost savings. Canadian multi-ply steel is recognized as an innovative way to manage cost as well as a way to counter against counterfeits. What type of metals would be used in coins in the future? Perhaps plastic some day?
I cannot see coins being popular if they were made in plastic @gxseries because of the association of plastic being a dispensable material albeit probably one of the most important discoveries in our history. Many recent British coins feature a bimetal construction with a hologram feature coupled with a legend on the edge which makes them extremely difficult and costly to forge. This does not stop criminals from using the same weight and blank counterfeit coins in vending machines. This is a recent coin, the device below the bust is a hologram. By total coincidence I had the good fortune a couple of days ago to receive this book. It arrived via Abe books from Canada a month earlier than their website suggested it would arrive. I couldn't find a copy in the UK. Having read the book I would recommend it and some of the content was a revelation to me , particularly the recycling of Mediterranean coins by the Celts, copying them and debasing them on the way. There is something satisfying about a lump of metal as it can exude value and quality and of course is safe from Computer Hackers on the basis of holding is owning. My first encounter of Aluminium coins was in China just after the cultural revolution and I compared some of my Western coins with the Aluminium coins with some Chinese people and the consensus was that ours reflected "proper value" which of course they didn't. As we are no longer tied to precious metals with circulation coins I don't think it matters what the metal is as long as its durable. In 1965 as a child I was still able to collect Victorian Pennies from my change that were 100 years old and still circulating. I can't see that permanence with paper or plastic. Here is an article you may enjoy. See 1991_BNJ_61_8.pdf This is a field that interests me and the Stuart period is fascinating as it covered experimentation of metals, recycling , debasement and a transition from hammered to milled coinage. As an example here is a James II Gun Money Half crown. Cast in Brass from Church Bells and Cannon and anything else that could be found to pay the troops with the intention of redeeming them in the future for silver which never happened. A fascinating subject. I abhor the idea of a cashless society so long may metal coins last.
Fantastic writing dafydd! I'll see if I can find the book down under. Gun money coinage is very interesting. I collect them as some were used as overstrike. Here are a couple of gun metal coins that are overstruck. Irish 1690 crown overstruck over half crown coin Russia 1793 MM 2 kopek over Sadagura 1773 2 para-3dengi With regards to potential plastic coinage - I think the only one that I can think of that Transnistria. Supposedly issued plastic coins in 2014. Whether they are still in circulation or not, I am not sure. That said, in down under, polymer banknotes have been circulating for nearly three decades. Going much further back, Keeling Cocos Island (now a territory of Australia) issued tokens in ivorine (!) I wouldn't rule out plastic just yet.
Some 1942 experimental cents were struck in various kinds of plastic. Here's an example. https://coins.ha.com/itm/patterns/1...-/a/1117-1830.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515 I wonder how carbon fiber might work as a coin.
Russia and Moldavia have circulating plastic coins. Australia has had circulation polymer notes for years.
Yes. Now that you talk about it I remember some articles years ago in Coin World where some countries were experiementing with making coins out of poylmers much like casino tokens. Obviously didn't catch on then but some things are just ahead of their tiem. who knows? James
I think the bigger question is whether there will be circulating coins in the future or not. Even most vending machines nowadays take contactless payments.
@KSorbo . So true. I work at two facilities that have a large number of vending machines in their cafeterias and both have been converted to electric payment only within the last year. Do you suppose coin operated vending machines will be popping up in a man cave near you? James
It's been years since I paid for something with coins in the U.S. And only one time received them as change. I never carry coins anymore. I spent some time in the UK the last couple of years. Used coins once to buy a 50p postcard. Base metal coins will be around for years to come in legal commerce, but the denominations will creep up as inflation progresses. And lower denominations will disappear. Cal
I hope you're right, but I don't expect cash to hold on long enough for a denomination shift to happen.
