Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assembly of coin components. Two or more coin components are received in an assembly station having at least two assembling members. The assembling members may be configured to form a chamber comprising the cavities and at least one assembling member may be movable over an assembling path. A merging force may be applied for assembling the coin components together to allow continuous production of joined coin components such that when the movable assembling member travels along the assembling path, one coin component locates within the other, thereby forming a coin assembly over a non-zero distance.

Abstract: A composite coin, coin blank, medal or token structure provides an inner stack, an outer ring surrounding the inner stack, and a separator, an authentication method and method of manufacture for the same. The inner stack comprises one or more inserts stacked on top of each other. The separator is disposed between the outer ring and the inner stack separating the outer ring from the inner stack and separating the plurality of inserts from each other.

Abstract: A composite coin, coin black, medal or token structure provides an inner stack, an outer ring surrounding the inner stack, and a separator, an authentication method and method of manufacture for the same. The inner stack comprises one or more inserts stacked on top of each other. The separator is disposed between the outer ring and the inner stack separating the outer ring from the inner stack and separating the plurality of inserts from each other.

Abstract: Golden bronze appearance article, multiple-layer substrate, related methods and uses thereof, particularly for coinage blanks. Methods of producing an article having a golden bronze appearance include annealing a multiple-layer substrate at an annealing temperature for an annealing residence time. The multiple-layer substrate includes a core, contiguous to a copper layer and subsequent tin layer. The annealing temperature and annealing residence time are controlled in accordance with each other for allowing diffusion of the tin layer into the copper layer and producing an annealed substrate comprising an inter-diffused outer bronze layer having a golden appearance. The tin layer thickness is in accordance to the copper layer thickness such that the inter-diffused outer bronze layer has a tin content between about 8% wt. and about 15.8% wt. The core has a sufficiently low content of nickel to reduce or prevent formation of intermetallic compound comprising tin and nickel proximate to the core during annealing.

Abstract: A method includes: capturing an image of a coin, locating an acquisition area of the image using a landmark of the coin, the acquisition area comprising a feature unique to the coin and generating a digital representation of the acquisition area.

Abstract: A method of producing an authenticatable article. An overt feature is produced in the article using a fabricating technique which is selected based on a material of the article so as to produce the overt feature having predetermined, reproducible macroscopic characteristics as well as random, non-reproducible microscopic characteristics rendering the article physically unique. The overt feature including the microscopic characteristics are imageable using a predetermined imaging technology to produce an overt feature image. An authentication signature is generated based on the overt feature image and stored in a central database. The overt feature may alternatively be produced in an apparatus or means used to manufacture authenticatable articles such that the overt feature including the random, microscopic characteristics is reproduced in the articles. The overt feature and generated authentication code therefore corresponds to articles manufactured using that apparatus or means.

Abstract: A method includes: capturing an image of a coin, locating an acquisition area of the image using a landmark of the coin, the acquisition area comprising a feature unique to the coin and generating a digital representation of the acquisition area.

Abstract: A method of treating aluminum or aluminum alloy includes providing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate; depositing a first zincating layer on the substrate by zincate immersion; stripping off the first zincating layer; depositing a second zincating layer on the substrate by zincate immersion; stripping off the second zincating layer; and depositing a third zincating layer on the substrate by zincate immersion.

Abstract: A method is for plating metal or alloy blanks. The method includes heating the metal or alloy blanks at a recrystallization temperature sufficient to soften the steel for minting; plating the softened metal or alloy blanks with one or more layers of metal or alloy; and heating the plated blanks at a temperature sufficient to reduce plating stresses but below the recrystallization temperature of the outermost plating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel metallic composites that are useful as coinage materials. These composites are produced through a multi-ply plating process and are designed to overcome difficulties associated with calibrating vending machines that can result in fraud. In one embodiment, the metallic composite comprises a steel core over which nickel and then a non-magnetic metal such as copper, brass or bronze is deposited as a layered pair. The magnetic and non-magnetic metals may also be applied in the reverse order, with the copper, brass or bronze applied directly over the steel and then covered by the nickel. The electromagnetic signature (EMS) of the composite is controlled by defining the thickness of the deposited metal layers. Advantageously, the invention overcomes problems associated when different coins are made from the same alloy and have similar sizes, and therefore cannot be distinguished by vending machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel metallic composites that are useful as coinage materials. These composites are produced through a multi-ply plating process and are designed to overcome difficulties associated with calibrating vending machines that can result in fraud. In one embodiment, the metallic composite comprises a steel core over which nickel and then a non-magnetic metal such as copper, brass or bronze is deposited as a layered pair. The magnetic and non-magnetic metals may also be applied in the reverse order, with the copper, brass or bronze applied directly over the steel and then covered by the nickel. The electromagnetic signature (EMS) of the composite is controlled by defining the thickness of the deposited metal layers. Advantageously, the invention overcomes problems associated when different coins are made from the same alloy and have similar sizes, and therefore cannot be distinguished by vending machines.