Billon (/ˈbɪlən/) 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.

Billon dirham of Abbad II al-Mu'tadid, dated 439 AH (1047–1048 AD)

The word comes from the French bille, which means 'log'.[1]

History

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Billon bawbee coin of James V of Scotland (coined between 1538 and 1543)

The use of billon coins dates from ancient Greece and continued through the Middle Ages. During the sixth and fifth centuries BC, some cities on Lesbos used coins made of 60% copper and 40% silver. In both ancient times and the Middle Ages, leaner mixtures were adopted, with less than 2% silver content.[2][3]

Billon coins are perhaps best known from the Roman Empire, where progressive debasements of the Roman denarius and the Roman provincial tetradrachm in the third century AD led to declining silver and increasing bronze content in these denominations of coins. Eventually, by the third quarter of the third century AD, these coins were almost entirely bronze, with only a thin coating or even a wash of silver.[4]

 
Billon nickel from 1942–45, with "D" mintmark and unusual color.

An example of a United States coin that is considered to be billon are the Jefferson nickels issued from 1942 through 1945.[5] In order to save nickel and copper for the war effort, the composition of the nickel was changed to an alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese. These coins are easily identifiable by their color and by the presence of a large mintmark on top of the dome of Monticello.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Billon". Dictionary.com (Unabridged (v 1.1) ed.). Random House, Inc. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  2. ^ Harl, Kenneth (19 March 1998). "Early Medieval and Byzantine Civilization: Constantine to crusades". Tulane University. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  3. ^ Munro, John (15 January 2007). "Earl J. Hamilton, American Treasure and the Price Revolution in Spain, 1501–1650". EH.net. Book Review. Economic History Services. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  4. ^ Christiansen, Erik (2004). Coinage in Roman Egypt: The hoard evidence. Aarhus University Press. pp. 135–141.
  5. ^ Julian, R.W. (2022-03-29). "The History of the Jefferson Nickel". NumismaticNews. Retrieved 2023-11-07.