Question

why is copper and silver used in coins

Answer 1

Copper

Copper, a soft orangy-coloured metal, was one of the first metals to be used inthe ancient world. It has been exploited for at least 7000 years. Its name comes from the Latin, cuprum, which means "metal of Cyprus", an island in the Mediterranean Sea where the Romans had large copper mines.

Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and is found in most of the flexible cables used in the world. Its softness also makes it suitable for tubing for water pipes and central heating systems, because itcan be soldered easily and readily bent tofit around corners. Above all, it can be mixed with other metals to make extremely useful alloys such as brass and bronze.

Properties of Copper
A soft, orangy­red metal, chemical symbol Cu
Turns green when exposed to the air
Forms alloys with other metals easily
Essential for plant growth
Good conductor of electricity
Scarce metal, making only 70 parts per million of the Earth's crust
Good conductor of heat
Has no taste
Melts at 1083°C, a lower temperature than many other metals
Has no smell
Atomic number 29, atomic weight about 64

Answer 2

For decoration.They also protect coins from corrosion