Nickel Silver

This topic has 12 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 8 June 2026 at 22:46 by old mart.

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14 May 2026 at 22:56 #848224
Carl
Participant
@carl48656
Does anyone know of a supplier of Nickel Silver in bar form, around 3mm x 5mm for example or 0.5 mm wall tube between say 12mm OD to 22mm OD ? Thanks
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15 May 2026 at 06:15 #848256
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
M-machine list 1/8″ x 1/4″ which could be machined down.

https://www.m-machine-metals.co.uk/downloads/Metals%20catalogue.pdf
15 May 2026 at 12:20 #848302
Chris Gunn
Participant
@chrisgunn36534
You can try Metalsmith who stock Nickel Silver, find the site, and click through on the ,aterial tab.

Chris Gunn
24 May 2026 at 15:11 #849455
Carl
Participant
@carl48656
Great, thank you for those leads.
24 May 2026 at 20:42 #849494
Tim Stevens
Participant
@timstevens64731
It is perhaps relevant to mention (for the benefit of others, as I hope that contributors are clued up) – that Nickel Silver is an alloy which does not usually contain silver, but was used as the foundation of cutlery etc which was silver plated. So, the name ‘Nickel silver’ was used in the trade to mean Nickel Alloy plated with Silver. I have a feeling that the rules about naming stuff are now tighter.

Tim Stevens
24 May 2026 at 23:28 #849500
Roderick Jenkins
Participant
@roderickjenkins93242
Not quite Tim. Nickel Silver is effectivley a Nickel Brass alloy – 60% Cu, 20% Zn and 20% Ni or thereabouts. It looks a bit like silver and, before Stainless Steel, was used as a cheaper, non rusting alternative for forks and spoons. Nickel Silver cutlery was often plated with Silver in which case it became E.P.N.S – Electro Plated Nickel Silver.

Rod
25 May 2026 at 07:54 #849531
Andrew Crow
Participant
@andrewcrow91475
Sometimes also know as German Silver.

Andy.
27 May 2026 at 11:58 #849828
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Just an aside …

The Royal Mint uses “Cupro-Nickel” for its [small s] silver coins

But I was surprised to discover that the mix varies between the denominations.

Could someone please explain “why”

MichaelG.

.

Ref:https://www.royalmint.com/collect/collector-resources/designs-and-specifications/twenty-pence-coin-designs/
27 May 2026 at 13:01 #849840
Keith Long
Participant
@keithlong89920
In the case of the smaller denominations probably to keep the metal value of the coin below it’s face value, hence now plated steel rather than copper alloy based. Make them as cheaply as possible while maintaining visual quality and acceptable service life.
27 May 2026 at 14:34 #849847
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
Back in the early 1700s English silver coins were worth more as silver bullion than their face value, so they were being exported faster than they could be minted, which put a downer on trade as there was no means of paying for anything. Isaac Newton of apple fame was appointed master of the royal mint to sort it out.
They took it seriously, counterfeiting was a capital offence. Might make some of the money market spivs pause for thought
27 May 2026 at 15:06 #849848
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Forgive me for asking, gentlemen … but does any of this explain why the composition of the Cupro-Nickel in current use is

84/16 for the 20p

75/25 for the 50p

?

MichaelG.
27 May 2026 at 15:14 #849850
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Don’t worry … ChatGPT has just given me a detailed answer.

[ just copy and paste the text from my previous post into its question box ]

MichaelG.
8 June 2026 at 22:46 #851350
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
You might try monel tubing it is cupro nickel alloy with high anticorrosive properties, is malleable and ductile. Used on aircraft along with some stainless steels for pressure tubing. Looks more like British “silver” coinage while nickel silver looks slightly yellow.
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