Casting coins as a form of currency dates back to ancient times, when civilizations like the Greeks, Romans and Chinese each used coins made from all sorts of materials, including copper, bronze and gold. Money was usually made from these metals. To make it even stronger, the coins were often cast into the shapes of different animals.
The process for casting coins has been relatively unchanged for centuries. To begin, a mold is made of the desired form of the coin. Then the metal is melted down in either a furnace or a crucible. The molten metal is then poured or pounded into the mold, that is shaped in the desired form. The mold is then struck with a hammer to ensure the metal is pressed tightly into the crevices of the mold. This helps create a more evenly shaped coin. The final product is then cooled off and stamped with the appropriate mark of value.
Though modern technology has made the casting of coins much easier today, with machinery capable of producing coins in high quantities and with greater uniformity, there are still some mints that prefer to cast coins the old-fashioned way. Not only does it add an element of customization that may be appreciated by consumers, but these techniques tend to be more cost-efficient.
The use of coins in lieu of paper currency is an easy way to carry multiple amounts of currency with a smaller weight. Therefore, coins are still used as currency today in most countries, and casting coins as a form of currency is commonplace.
Given the history of casting coins, it is easy to understand why it remains a popular form of currency. Casting coins as a form of currency is a time-tested tradition that has been around for centuries and is sure to remain prevalent in years to come.