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Determining the Composition of Coins

Q. For my A-level project I am currently investigating the compositions of coins. I know that I can find out the amount of copper in a coin by titrating with sodium thiosulphate [on eBay or Amazon] but is there any other way of doing it?

Please help.

Thank You.

Krystie Nicholson
- West Sussex, UK
2002

A. X-Ray/SEM Analysis, Atomic Absorption [on eBay or Amazon] Analysis are 2 tests that can be performed, I'm sure there may be others.

Marc Green
anodizer - Boise, Idaho

A. Hi Krystie,
In this age of more exotic and more varied metals & alloys, there are now hand-held x-ray fluorescence "scrap sorters" or "alloy sorters" [on eBay or Amazon]. They are very expensive ($20-$50,000), way out of student range ... but if you have a good friend working in a metals warehouse or scrap yard they can give you a complete metals analysis in seconds :-)
Luck & Regards,

pic of Ted Mooney
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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