Mustang Mint: Coin Design Project
Name: ______Period: ______
Mustang Mint
Coin Design Project
ChemCom – Unit 2
American Industrialist, J. Paul Getty was once asked whether he was really worth a billion dollars. He answered, "You know, if you can count your money, you don't have a billion dollars" and then famously added, "But remember, a billion dollars isn't worth what it used to be."
For this project, you will design a coin worth $2.
You will be graded on 4 components of the project.
1. 10% – Project Details
a. Keep this cover page; it must be attached to the rest of this packet.
b. Follow the directions for each part carefully.
c. Be sure your spelling and grammar are correct.
d. Be sure your work is neat.
e. Be sure your work is legible.
2. 30% – Part A – Physical Appearance
Follow the directions in this packet.
3. 30% – Part B – Physical and Chemical Properties
Follow the directions in this packet.
4. 30% – Part C – Cost Analysis
Follow the directions in this packet.
The Word file of this packet is available on my website, if you would prefer to type your answers. You will also find links there to sites suggested in this packet.
Part A – Physical Appearance of Your Coin
1. Theme: What is the theme of your design?
This is a U.S. $2 coin, so it should be reflective of the United States; the theme should not be a personal statement.
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2. Relevance: Write 3-5 sentences about why the images you chose for the front and back of your coin are relevant to your theme.
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3. Representation: You may either make a model of your coin or make drawings of the top and bottom of your coin. The model or drawings must be done to a scale of your choosing.
Check your choice: _____ Model _____ Drawings
Required: Your model or drawings must include “2012” and “United States of America.”
4. Scale: What is the scale of your model or drawing? ______
Explanation: Report your scale in a ratio format, such as 5:1. Since your model will be bigger than your coin, the larger number is written first. A 5:1 scale model means that your model is 5 times bigger than your actual coin. For example, if your coin was 30 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick, and you used a 5:1 scale, your model would be 5 times bigger in both dimensions; it would be 150 mm in diameter and 20 mm thick; or, in cm, it would be 15 cm in diameter and 2 cm thick.
You might want to work “backwards” on this. Do you have something in mind that you might want to build your model around – like a hockey puck, many paper plates glued together, a filled in Frisbee, plastic top to a plastic container? (Some coins are not even round.) Start with that, and then calculate down the size for your coin design. Just remember that the scale has to be the same for both the diameter and the thickness.
5. Reference(s): List any sources that you used in this part.
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6. If you are making a model, remember that your model must be made to scale you indicated. It must have an illustrated front and an illustrated back. Your model must include “2012” and “United States of America.” Put your name somewhere on the model, or place your model in a Ziplock bag, and put your name on the bag. You may continue on to Part B.
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7. If you are making drawings, attach additional pages right after this page, and before you continue on to Part B. Remember that your drawings must be made to scale you indicated. You must have a drawing of the front of the coin, a drawing of the back of the coin, and a drawing of the side view. Your drawings must include “2012” and “United States of America.” You may continue on to Part B.
Part B – Physical and Chemical Properties
1. Alloy Components: Your coin must be made of an alloy that contains 2-3 metals. What is the name of the alloy you chose? (If you are creating a new alloy, give it a name.)
______-or- New Alloy: ______
2. Properties: Complete the following table.
Names of Metalsin the Alloy / Physical Properties
List 3 for each metal / For each Property, check D for Desired or R for Required / Chemical Properties
List 3 for each metal / For each Property, check D for Desired or R for Required
D / R / D / R
(1)
(2)
(3)
3. Reasons: Explain why you chose to use each metal in your alloy.
a. Metal 1: ______
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b. Metal 2: ______
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c. Metal 3: ______
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4. Reference(s): List any sources that you used in this part.
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Part C – Cost Analysis
Research: You will need to look up some of the following information. We have provided you with a list of useful websites to get you started.
1. Source: What country do you plan to buy your primary metals from? Explain why you chose the country.
Metal 1 Name: ______Country: ______
Explanation: ______
Metal 2 Name: ______Country: ______
Explanation: ______
Metal 3 Name: ______Country: ______
Explanation: ______
2. Mining: In what form is your metal found in the country you have chosen? (Either list the name of the specific ore(s) or state “pure metal”.
Metal 1: ______
Metal 2: ______
Metal 2: ______
3. What is the diameter of your coin? ______mm ______cm
4. What is the thickness of your coin? ______mm ______cm
5. Calculate the total volume of your coin (not the model), in cm3. ______cm3
If you are designing a round coin, it is really a thin slice of a cylinder, and the volume of a cylinder is calculated by: , where V = volume, h = height (thickness), r = radius (1/2 the diameter. For other shapes, you will need a different formula; see me if you need help. You must show your work below. Show your work below. Record your final answer on the line above.
6. What is the percent composition of the metals in your alloy?
Metal 1: ______% Metal 2: ______% Metal 3: ______%
7. Multiply each of these percents by the total volume of your coin to determine the volume of each metal in the coin. Show your work below.
Metal 1: ______cm3 Metal 2: ______cm3 Metal 3: ______cm3
8. What is the density of each metal in your allow in g/cm3?
Metal 1: ______g/cm3 Metal 2: ______g/cm3 Metal 3: ______g/cm3
9. Multiply each density (from 8) by each volume (from 7) to determine the mass of each metal in the coin. Show your work below.
Metal 1: ______g Metal 2: ______g Metal 3: ______g
10. What is the current cost of each metal in your alloy in $ per gram? Show your work below.
Metal 1: ______$/g Metal 2: ______$/g Metal 3: ______$/g
11. Multiply each cost (from 10) by each mass (from 9) to determine the cost of each metal in your coin. Show your work below.
Metal 1: $______Metal 2: $______Metal 3: $______
12. Add together each cost from 11 to determine the total value of metals in your coin.
$______
13. Based on the value of the metals in your coin, as well as other factors that you consider to be important, will your $2 coin be a circulation coin or collector’s coin? Check one.
______Circulation ______Collector’s
14. Explain your choice:
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15. Reference(s): List any sources that you used in this part. You do not have to list the websites that were provided by the teacher.
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Useful Websites
Coin Specifications – US Mint – Facts such as size and composition
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/index.cfm?action=coin_specifications
Chemical vs. Chemical Properties – Very Short Review
http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/matter-and-energy/properties.html
Chemicool Periodic Table – Click on the element for more information.
http://www.chemicool.com/
History Image Library – US Mint – Might give you some ideas
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/CoinLibrary/index.cfm#goldenDollar
Alloys – Composition and Properties
http://www.csudh.edu/oliver/chemdata/alloys.htm
Spot Metal Values – Don’t miss the lists on the right; scroll down. Get the price in kg. Then divide by 1000 to get the price per gram.
http://www.metalprices.com/
Unit Converters – Convert one unit to another, such as pounds to grams.
http://www.unitconverters.net/
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