William – Shanghai Metal Corporation

Do You Know How The UK Coins Are Made And What Are They Made of?

The processes involved in producing a coin can be broken down into three different sections: making the blanks, making the dies and striking the coins.

Making the blanks

Depending on the alloy required, the appropriate metals are melted in the necessary proportions in a furnace. The metal is then extracted from the furnace in the form of a continuous strip, which is cut to produce coils weighing up to 2.8 tonnes. The strip is passed through powerful rolling mills to reduce it to the thickness of a coin. Blank discs of metal are then punched from the strip in a blanking press at a rate of up to 10,000 a minute. Rolling metal under great pressure makes it hard so the blanks have to be softened, something which is achieved by heating them in an annealing furnace at up to 950°C.

Making the dies

Once a design has been approved, a plaster model is prepared at several times the diameter of the intended coin. The plaster model is scanned by a ruby-tipped probe which records the design as a digital file on a computer. Guided by this digital file, an engraving machine cuts the design into a piece of steel at the correct size of the coin. Known as a reduction punch, this piece of steel is then used to make the dies which will actually strike the coins.

Striking the coins

For the final stage of the process, the blanks are fed into a coining press containing a pair of dies. Applying a pressure of around 60 tonnes, the dies strike the blanks and turn them into coins at speeds of up to 850 a minute.

= 1 penny coin =

First Issued February 15, 1971

Diameter 20.3mm

Weight 3.56g

Thickness Bronze: 1.52mm. Copper-plated steel: 1.65mm

Composition Bronze (97pc copper, 2.5pc zinc, 0.5pc tin)

= 2 pence coin =

First Issued February 15, 1971

Diameter 25.9mm

Weight 7.12g

Thickness Bronze: 1.85mm. Copper-plated steel: 2.03mm

Composition Bronze (97pc copper, 2.5pc zinc, 0.5pc tin)

= 5 pence coin =

First Issued Smaller version in June 1990.

Diameter 18.0mm

Weight 3.25g

Thickness 1.7mm

Composition Cupro-nickel (75pc copper, 25pc nickel)

= 10 pence coin =

First Issued Smaller version in September 1992.

Diameter (since 1992) 24.5mm

Weight 6.5g

Thickness 1.85mm

Composition Cupro-nickel (75pc copper, 25pc nickel)

= 20 pence coin =

First Issued June 9, 1982

Diameter 21.4mm

Weight 5g

Thickness 1.7mm

Composition Cupro-nickel (84pc copper, 16c nickel)

= 50 pence coin =

First Issued Smaller version introduced in September 1997. Diameter (since 1997) 27.3mm

Weight 8.0g

Thickness 1.78mm

Composition Cupro-nickel (75pc copper, 25pc nickel)

= 1 pound coin =

Issue Date April 21, 1983

Diameter 22.5mm

Weight 9.5g

Thickness 3.15mm

Composition Nickel-Brass (70pc copper, 5.5pc nickel, 24.5pc zinc)

= 2 pound coin =

First Issued June 15, 1998

Diameter 28.4mm

Weight 12g

Thickness 2.5mm

Composition, Outer Nickel-Brass (76pc copper, 4pc nickel, 20pc zinc). Inner Cupro-nickel (75pc copper, 25pc nickel)

= 5 pound coin =

First Issued August 4, 1990. Previously crowns had a face value of 25p

Diameter 38.61mm

Weight 28.28g

Thickness 2.89mm

Composition Cupro-nickel (75pc copper, 25pc nickel)

Collector versions have been struck in precious metals

As an international manufacturer and supplier for copper sheet and bronze sheet, Shanghai Metal Corporation produces slitting, edging, and oscillates winding to fit your specific copper requirements. To find out more, please visit our Website or send your inquiry here. Our English speaking personnel will be more than pleased to help you. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or you could try our new mobile app by scanning our QR code.

Sources: Royal Mint, The Telegraph, museumvictoria.com.au

William P.//SMC Editor

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Copper Was a Symbol of Eternal Life for the Egyptians; Nowadays it is a Symbol of Eternal Freedom When Cooper is on a Chopper!

Copper was once believed by the Egyptians to be a symbol of eternal life; however copper on the hands of a biker builder such as Paul Yaffe becomes a symbol of eternal freedom. This freedom is only earned by those who ride without a destination; and only when you are on the saddle of your chopper, cruiser or bobber, opening the throttle towards the sunset will understand what FREEDOM is all about!

Americans and all motorbike enthusiasts around the globe love the open road because it symbolizes the freedoms that it provides. This sense of exploration has helped build America’s nation; and the vast interstate network of asphalt and pavement for decades has facilitated people’s travel to places near and far for commerce or just a ride to nowhere!

The “Copper Chopper” built by Arizona native Paul Yaffe to mark Arizona’s 100th anniversary was unveiled by Governor Jan Brewer on Saturday, Oct. 23rd 2010 during the Arizona State Fair. The unveiling of the Arizona Centennial Chopper was part of a Safety Day that included a bike show and a Bret Michael’s Concert at the fairgrounds in Phoenix, AZ. The Arizona Centennial Chopper traveled the open road for 17 months, promoting events and projects celebrating Arizona’s 100th anniversary.

Motorcycle riding gives you a sense of freedom which you don’t get in a car. Your senses take on a different significant.

As an international manufacturer and supplier for copper sheet and bronze sheet, Shanghai Metal Corporation produces slitting, edging, and oscillates winding to fit your specific copper requirements.To find out more, please visit our Website or send your inquiry here. Our English speaking personnel will be more than pleased to help you. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or you could try our new mobile app by scanning our QR code.

Source and photo credit: bikeweeknews.blogspot.com, pinterest.com, yakman*9

William P.//SMC Editor

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Copper Pots And Pans: The Rolls-Royce of All Cookware

Cooking is not only an art but it also involves a bit of science. If you want good results, getting the right temperature and heat requires precision and experience. Therefore, to achieve these results the quality of the cookware is indispensable. Cheap quality cheap pans can ruin your food and your reputation due to uneven cooking, heat spots and burned food.

However, good quality copper pans can make a huge difference. There is a great variety of cheap cookware available on the market. But what we don’t realize is the simple fact that a one-time investment in high quality cookware will set you up for many years to come while offering functionality and a great aesthetic appeal too.

What makes copper a great cookware?

It has been a favorite amongst gastronomic experts for centuries. It has always been considered the elite of cookware, owing to its beautiful metallic sheen that gives it a beautiful appearance, and its admirable workability. Copper is known as one of the best conductors of heat. So, it gets heated up quickly and evenly. In copper bottom cookware the heat is evenly spread from the bottom to the walls and edges.

This ensures that food cooks evenly from all sides. Heat spots are unheard of in copper cookware. It is also designed to stand the test of time due to its solidity. Cheaper cookware starts to chip or crack over time and are prone to rust and it gives away too soon. High quality copper cookware can be passed from generations to generations while keeping its quality, beauty, sturdiness, durability and fuel efficiency.

Copper cookware has always been considered the Rolls-Royce of all cookware. Copper pots and pans are a great choice for any kitchen; whether you are an expert cook, or a novice conducting, this cookware can make cooking pleasurable and hassle free. The best thing is that you get control over the heat. As soon as the knob is turn off or lowered the copper cookware will respond quickly and adjust. So, you can cook food perfectly leaving nothing to luck. You seriously could not ask for anything better and more sophisticated.

Source: onthegas.org, brookegiannetti.typepad.com, fxcuisine.com, trovatistudio.com

William P.//SMC Editor

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How Much Do You Know About Copper?

1.Pyramid of Cheops

The first point of facts about copper is related to pyramids of Cheops. There were water pumping construction found by the archaeologists in this pyramid which was made partly from copper dated more than 5000 years ago.

2.Dead Sea Scrolls

When people Sea Scrolls, they will think that the classic items are made from animal skin. This principle does not apply in one of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in Israel. It is created by using copper. In the scroll, you will see the clues to find the hidden treasure.

3.New York’s Statue of Liberty

One of the materials used to construct the statue of Liberty is copper. It features 80 tons of copper from Norway. The craftsmanship was done in France.

4.Gold

When people want to get firm and tough gold, the manufacturer will add small amount copper. The train of gold is soft so that you can mould this material using your hands. Even though your jewelry is made from 24 k of gold, it still contains some copper.

5.Hieroglyphs

Copper was believed as the symbol of the eternal life. In the hieroglyph system, the ancient Egyptian people utilized the ankh symbol to represent copper.

6.Columbus

Columbus is one of the greatest sailors and explorers in the world. When he made a voyage to America, his ship was protected by using copper skin which eliminate the bio-fouling or even barnacles.

7.Copper cookware

Copper is the best material recommended by most high class chefs in the world. The material can transfer the heat better than any other material.

8.Copper products

Copper is widely used as the construction and frame in water piping and distribution since it can resist from any bacteria. Some products made from copper include handrail, door knobs and finger-plates.

9.Copper tools

Copper is also helpful to lower the risk of explosion. The tools or products made from copper will never cause any fire or even spark. That’s why the electronic tools are made by using this material to prevent the explosion to occur.

10.Anti corrosion

Copper can last longer and it prevents corrosion to form. The nuclear authority in Sweden and deep sea exploration uses copper as the protection for their equipment and pipework.

Source and photo credit: findfast.org, periodictable.com

William P.//SMC Editor

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