Zamak is a family of zinc-based alloys, containing aluminium, with small additions of magnesium and often copper. The name comes from the German abbreviations for these elements. It has a silvery-grey appearance and is easy to cast with good dimensional accuracy, making it inexpensive to produce. However, Zamak is prone to corrosion and long-term degradation, particularly in humid conditions, which limits its suitability for coinage. It is encountered in numismatics primarily as a material for tokens and medals.
