Billon
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- For the misspelled numerical amount, see billion.
Billon is an alloy of a precious metal (most commonly silver, but also gold) with a majority base metal content (such as copper). It is used chiefly for making coins, medals, and token coins.
The word originates from the middle Latin billo, meaning "a coin containing mostly copper", or just "unit of payment".
Use of billon coins dates through Middle Ages to ancient Greece. During 6th and 5th century BC, some cities on Lesbos island used coins made of 60% copper and 40% silver. During the Middle Ages, leaner mixtures were adopted, some with only 25% or even 20% of silver.[1]
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