I've just been re-re-re-reading a book "The Disappearing Spoon" by Sam Kean and was struck by "Tin Leprosy/Tin Pest". Tin (the element) when cooled below certain temperatures tends to undergo a transformation that causes it to crumble: I was wondering what role this might have played in the crappy tin coins we often see. I heartily recommend the book as a great read, along with "Uncle Tungsten" by Oliver Sacks, of "Awakenings" fame.
I have several tin coins. Mainly from Thailand, they are fresh and bright. To keep them that way, they must be stored in air tight holders, and never allowed to be exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees. Otherwise, they will become black, and then deteriorate. Gary in Washington
That has been one of the suggestions as to why Napoleon's troops froze in Russia. They had tin buttons on their coats, and the cold caused the button to rot and crumble.
