Nordic gold

Nordic gold is the gold-coloured copper alloy from which the middle three denominations of euro coins, 50 cent, 20 cent, and 10 cent coins are made. It has also been in use for a number of years in other countries, most notably in the Swedish 10-krona coin for which it was originally developed[1] (hence the Swedish name: nordiskt guld).[2] Its composition is 89% copper, 5% aluminium, 5% zinc, and 1% tin.[3]

Despite its name, it contains no gold and its colour and weight are quite unlike pure gold. It is non-allergenic; its other advantages include antimycotic [4] and weak antimicrobial (especially after abrasion)[5] attributes, and resistance to tarnishing. The alloy and its tradename are the intellectual property of the global metals and manufacturing group, Luvata (formerly Outokumpu Copper Products).

References

  1. ↑ http://www.scda.com/copper/development-history.html
  2. ↑ Predecimal.com. "The selection of the alloy for the New Euro Coins". Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  3. ↑ Gizmology.net. "Notes on metals". Retrieved 2015-01-16.
  4. ↑ Quaranta, Davide et al. (January 2011). "Mechanisms of Contact-Mediated Killing of Yeast Cells on Dry Metallic Copper Surfaces". Appl. Environ. Microbiol. (American Society for Microbiology) 77 (2): 416–426. doi:10.1128/AEM.01704-10. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  5. ↑ Ha, H. et al. (2011). "Tarnishing and Cu Ion release In Selected Copper-Base Alloys: Implications Towards Anti-Microbial Functionality" (PDF). Abstract #1797, 220th ECS Meeting (The Electrochemical Society). Abstract #1797. Retrieved 2 February 2014.