Thrones, chariots, statues, amulets and jewelry were also made using this alloy.Įlectrum coins are considered to be valuable collectables. Electrum was also used for making coins and drinking vessels in ancient times. This metal was used for coating the exteriors of pyramidions (the uppermost piece of an Egyptian pyramid). Another reason for the preference was that the techniques of refining gold were not very prevalent at that time. In fact, It was more preferred than gold for coinage for its better hardness and durability. The uses of this alloy were similar to gold. Around 350 BC, the Electrum coins went out of use. But the new silver coins did not entirely replace the Electrum ones as the later was much more valuable than the former for their gold content. In order to solve this problem, pure silver coins were introduced in 570 BC. Due to this reason, foreign trading of that time was seriously hampered.
However, the variation in the gold and silver contents of this alloy made it difficult to decide the value of each coin. It was used for different purposes since third millennium BC.
This gold-silver alloy has a long history of being used by humans. Solubility: This metal is insoluble in water.ĭensity: The average density of this substance is somewhere between 12.5 gm/cm 3 and 15 gm/cm 3.Įlectric Conductivity: The small copper and platinum contents make it a good electric conductor. Here are some of the main physical and chemical properties of this metal alloy.Īppearance: The color varies from yellowish-white to pale yellow depending on the amount of silver present in it. This metal alloy is denoted by the symbols of its main constituent metals. It is found in places like North and South America, Europe and New Zealand. This alloy of gold is naturally found in gold and silver deposits with high silver contents.