Comparing the Ag-content of poltinniks using X-ray fluorescence

TL;DR

This study used X-ray fluorescence to analyze and compare the silver content of Russian poltinniks minted in different years and locations, revealing minimal variation in silver proportions.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of silver content in historical coins using X-ray fluorescence, highlighting differences across years and mints.

Findings

Silver content varies by no more than 5.5% among coins.

No significant difference in Ag content between 1924 coins from London and Leningrad.

Legislation likely maintained consistent Ag-Cu proportions in 1924 coins.

Abstract

X-ray fluorescence experiments have been performed in order to analyze the elemental composition of four Russian 50-kopek coins ("poltinniks") minted during 1913, 1921, and 1924. By comparing the intensities of the Ag K{\alpha} X-rays emitted by the poltinniks, we were able to determine whether the Ag-content of the coins were equal. One of the goals of this study was to determine whether or not legislation was carried out that required the proportions of Ag and Cu used in the minting of coins in 1924 to be identical to those minted in previous years. Also, the intensities of the Ag K{\alpha} X-rays emitted by 1924 poltinniks minted in London and Leningrad were compared. Our results suggest that the percent difference in the proportions of Ag present in each of the coins is no more than 5.5%.