Nordic Gold
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates
Nordic Gold (Swedish: nordiskt guld<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>) is the gold-coloured copper alloy from which many coins are made. The alloy is a type of aluminium bronze. It has been used for a number of coins in many currencies, most notably in euro 50, 20, and 10 cents,<ref name=eellc/><ref name="ecc">Template:Cite news</ref> in the Swedish 5 and 10 kronor coins (for which it was originally developed and introduced in 1991),<ref name="rohrig20">Template:Cite book</ref> as well as the Polish 2 złoty commemorative coins. Its composition is 89% copper, 5% aluminium, 5% zinc, and 1% tin.<ref name="eci">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref><ref name="eellc">Template:Cite news</ref>
Being a copper alloy, it contains no gold. Its colour and density are unlike pure gold. It is non-allergenic; its other advantages include antimycotic<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and weak antimicrobial (especially after abrasion)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> attributes, and resistance to tarnishing. It has been studied for its antimicrobial hospital applications.<ref name="foster14">Template:Cite thesis</ref>
Nordic Gold was developed by Mariann Sundberg while she worked for the Finnish metal company Outokumpu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The European Central Bank says that the alloy is "difficult to melt and used exclusively for coins."<ref name="ecb">Template:Cite news</ref>
PropertiesEdit
Compared to commercial copper metal, Nordic Gold has significantly smaller grains. A thin oxide material is formed after abrasive polishing.<ref name="chang17">Template:Cite journal</ref> The alloy's antimicrobial properties were studied extensively in 2014 because it showed promise for use in hospitals, to help prevent MRSA infections. A rather complete description of its electrochemical properties was one result.