35485
Accession Number
22266
Title Of Article Chaper
Rapid Non-Destructive Analysis of the Silver Content of Coins Using Neutron Activation
Title Of Journal Book
The numismatic circular
Volume
76
Issue
3
Collation
1 p. : Photos, Figs.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliog. refs.
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
This short piece describes a non-destructive neutron activation analysis technique useful for determining the silver content of coins. A short irradiation in a low flux neutron source produces only silver isotopes with short half lives (all radioactivity is gone in 15-20 minutes). The calibration procedure involves taping a small silver disk to the back of the coins as a reference. Analyses of contemporary coins, for which the silver content is known, demonstrates the accuracy of the technique. The technique is of potential use to numismatists, economic historians, and those interested in identifying forgeries. Several ancient forgeries have already been identified.
Keywords
numismatic;coins;neutron activation analysis; silver; non-destructive analysis
pub_id
35485