The paper presents the results of a feasibility study of the application of x-ray fluorescence analysis to nondestructive analysis of coins. Radioisotope sources up>5up>5Fe, 2up>2up>4up>1 Am, up>1up>0up>9Cd and 2up>2up>3up>8Pu were used for excitation and a Si/Li detector with a multichannel analyser for the measurement of characteristic x-ray lines. Silver and copper in Polish renaissance coins have been analyzed. Analysis using AgK and AgL lines allows one to distinguish between blanched and unblanched coins. The accuracy of the silver determination using Ag K x-rays is claimed to be ± 0.5% Ag for homogenous coins and ± 1. 0% Ag for blanched but well-preserved uncorroded coins. (See also AATA 14-573.)