Forensic Elemental Analysis of Five Rupee and One Pound Coin with EDXRF Technique

Energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique using synchrotron radiation has been employed for elemental analysis of one pound and five rupees coins of two different countries- the UK and India. Total number of 12 coins - 4 one pound and 8 five rupees coin were analysed. A Peltier cooled Vortex solid state detector (SII Nano Technology, USA) having energy resolution of 138 eV at 5.96 keV X-rays was employed for the present analysis. A Peltier cooled Vortex solid state detector (SII Nano Technology, USA) having energy resolution of 138 eV at 5.96 keV X-rays was employed for the present analysis. The investigations were carried out to determine the similarities between the elemental composition and structure of coins. The major elements Cu, Ni, Fe, Cr and traces of two elements Mn and Mo were found during analysis. One of the elements i.e. Cu was found as primary major element in most of the coins. Two other elements Fe and Cr are also found as major element in 2 five rupees coins. Fe was generally considered as cheap metal composition in comparison to Cu. Besides these traces of Mo, S, Ca and Si were also observed whose compositional amount found very low (below 1%). The present study confirms the favorable economic conditions of two countries during their minting time. The XRF spectra and graphical representation of elemental concentration also helps to identify the similarities in structure and composition of coins. Results of present analysis of different types of coins are found in good agreement with standard composition and also with each other. The EDXRF analysis shows its effectiveness in forensic science without alteration of precious samples. Forensic analysis of such coins using Synchrotron radiation is very helpful in archeological study.