What gives circulated coins their gold & silver like appearance?

[firestacker]

Ok I legitimately can't seem to find an answer to this on google. What gives circulated coins its gold and silver like appearance?

From what I understand they are all pretty much made of copper, zink and nickel.

The zink and nickel could probably pass as a silver lookalike but what about the gold? Is it gold plated or just some sort of fake gold like coating?

I've watched how its made videos and the like but they convieniantly skip this part. The copper magically turns into gold disks 😂

[Martlet]

Brass - copper and zinc - is golden in colour, i'd hazard a guess is some similar alloy. 

[firestacker]

I think you're on the right lines. I reckon the gold like effect on e.g. £1 is brass plated.

The how it's made videos made no mention of brass but I don't think I can trust it considering they skipped steps.

Doesn't seem like people are too sure though. I was expecting folks here would know straight away but it sounds like the mint perhaps don't like to cover these steps.

[firestacker]

Came across this infographic which doesn't suggest any brass.
https://www.compoundchem.com/2014/03/27/the-metals-in-uk-coins/

[RacerCool]

52 minutes ago, firestacker said:

Came across this infographic which doesn't suggest any brass.
https://www.compoundchem.com/2014/03/27/the-metals-in-uk-coins/

Copper is generally the main ingredient in brass.  That's where the gold-coloring comes from.

[PercyItsGreen]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Gold should explain the alloy type used for gold effect coins.