Chemical and physical studies of metallic alloy-based old Indian coins with LIBS coupled with multivariate analysis

Abstract The present work aims to demonstrate the capabilities of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with a multivariate technique for rapid quantification and classification of old Indian coins made of various alloys. Thirteen old Indian coins in different years of circulation, (1922–1986) were selected for the study. The concentrations were determined by Calibration free LIBS (CF-LIBS) method. The concentration of cuprum (Cu) is negligible, and aluminum (Al) is maximum in the first five coins, and vice-versa in the remaining eight coins. Two different multivariate methods, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) have been used to classify and identify the coins. PCA classified all thirteen samples into four main alloy categories. The discernment of unknown samples to their probable class membership of alloy was performed using SIMCA. The surface hardness (Brinell hardness number) is linearly correlated with the plasma temperature and LIBS intensity ratios. The sample surface of the first and fifth coin belongs to Al-alloy, having the least surface hardness, and it became harder for Cu–Ni alloy, Ni-brass alloy, and bronze alloy. The hardness of the surface is more for bronze sample twelve. It is also observed that the plasma temperature increases monotonically with the Brinell hardness number. This analysis provides valuable information on fabrication methodology and explains large diversification in the elementary composition of old coins.