Etymology Dictionary English chemist Sir Humphry Davy named the element alumium in 1808 and then changed it to aluminum in 1812. British editors changed it to aluminium to be more in keeping with other elements such as potassium and sodium, while the Americans retained the spelling as aluminum.
For some background, The US MINT does do alternative metals studies including minting non-sensical pieces. Here are some quotes from various documents The above is one such example from the 2012 alternative metals study
There are two whose whereabouts are known, One is in the Smithsonian in the National numismatic Collection, the other is in a PCGS holder graded MS-62 and is privately owned. The government has said it is government property but has never made any attempt to recover it.
The privately held 1974D that PCGS certified was returned to the mint. It is no longer owned by that individual.
Yes, but the Toven specimen of the 1974 aluminum cent is still held by that family. There are two 1974 and one 1974 D aluminum cents. The 74 D should have never existed. There are also a few 1974 copper clad steel cents in existance as well.
Yea , blame it on the English. I had a guy at work that traveled to Vietnam to see his wife's family. He said there were a ton of counterfeit coins selling in a market . He came home with a few fake Silver Dollars . Cool to see but fake as heck.