Billon (/ˈbɪlən/) is analloy of aprecious metal (most commonlysilver, but alsogold) with a majority base metal content (such ascopper). It is used chiefly for makingcoins,medals, andtoken coins.
The word comes from theFrenchbille, which means 'log'.[1]
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The use of billon coins dates fromancientGreece and continued through theMiddle Ages. During the sixth and fifth centuries BC, some cities onLesbos 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 theRoman Empire, where progressivedebasements of the Romandenarius and the Roman provincialtetradrachm in the third century AD led to declining silver and increasingbronze 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]
An example of a United States coin that is considered to be billon are theJefferson 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 ofMonticello.
