Definition

• Gilding Metal.  A base metal, an alloy of copper and zinc. There is no gold in gilding metal (until it is plated), but the name derives from the hard alloy that is easy to manufacture and is an excellent base metal to goldplate or silverplate. The copper ranges from 80 to 90%, the zinc from 10 to 20%. It is a red color alloy and it shows a pink color when the plated metal is worn off.  See bronze, bleeding.

  excerpted with permission from

  An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

  For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

  COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

  Roger W. Burdette, Editor

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