anyone have a good resource (website) on metal compositions for world coins? more specifically for China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan's coinage? thanks a bunch in advance
Most world coins are using nickel cupro because they are cheap and hard. If I am not mistaken, that is for most of the alloys used for the countries mentioned above. China on the other hand used to use alunimum for the smaller denomination coins for jiao but right now, I believe they are using steel plated alloy or some sort.
to CoinTalk vision. There is no one size fits all answer to your question as posed. Most countries use different compositions for different coins, and compositions are changed from time to time. If you visit your local public library and consult the Standard Catalog of World Coins you can determine the answer on a coin-by-coin basis for each country.
Most business struck coins (coins made for general circulation) are not silver. Most coinage struck, today, in silver are produced for collectors: uncirculated, prooflike and proof. Like some of the others have informed you, most general circulation coins are copper-nickel, clad or coated steel, or aluminum. Satootoko is right. Buy a Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001 to Date, or borrow one or find a library that has one in their reference section. Clinker
