Interesting Coin Facts

Source: Ningbo Heng Yuan Wang Plastic Co., Ltd.  author:   Time: 2013-09-02

 

　　A design of a coin is made and lots of test models go into making a coin. Once a design is approved for minting, a plaster model of the coin is made. When the plaster model is finished, an exact duplicate of the coin is made into metal and a tracing lathe is used to mill a master die. This die is then detailed and finished by the engraver. This finished Master Die is now used to make duplicate dies for minting the coins. These duplicate dies are tempered (hardened) to increase the life of the die.

　　Strips of a metal alloy called Zinc is used to produce coins. The Zinc is plated with copper or nickel, for pennies and nickels. Dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars, are made with three metals. The outer material of these are made of the same alloy used in nickels. The metal used to make each of the coins is fed into a machine that make blank coins. The blanks that are used to make pennies have already been pressed and are manufactured outside the Mint to their specifications. These blanks are then heated up to soften, and then thoroughly cleaned and polished. The defective blanks are removed and discarded, and then they are sorted into a machine which puts the rim around there edges. They are then sent to the presses to be stamped. Just so you know both the front and back of the coins are pressed are the same time. The coins are then inspected again for defects and are sorted and put into bags for shipment.