Making Gold Pennies

Learn about the science of alloys and make a gold penny.

There’s just something strange about a gold penny. First of all, gold pennies don’t exist… unless you’re a 20th-century alchemist who knows something about the science of alloys. Modern day alchemists, cleverly disguised as chemistry teachers, often share the secret of making gold pennies. Students take home an unforgettable lesson in alloys and a keepsake penny that can never be put back into circulation – even though it’s a “gold” penny, the US Treasury has a little problem with people buying something with gold pennies.

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Silver/zinc and gold/brass pennies

Jane Snell Copes (Professor Sepoc) - March 17, 2010

This user gave 5/5 stars

I love this experiment! I've used it to make Knuts (shined up pennies), silver Sickles, and gold Galleons for Wizard Week camps.

Occasionally I have trouble getting the zinc coating to stick to the pennies. It usually helps to wash the pennies in rubbing alcohol and dry them before putting them in the Zn/NaOH bath.

When I don't have a propane torch, I have used a smooth-surfaced hot plate (Corning makes them) to do the final heating, and it works just fine. I had not seen heating up a bunch of them in a dry evaporating dish, though. Glad to see that works!