Orichalcum

Orichalcum
A bronze sestertius coin from the time of Caligula
Material typeMetal

Orichalcum (or aurichalcum) /ˌɔːrɪˈkælkəm/ or orichalc /ˌɔːrɪˈkælk/ is a metal mentioned in several ancient writings, including the story of Atlantis in the Critias of Plato. Within the dialogue, Critias (460–403 BC) says that orichalcum had been considered second only to gold in value and had been found and mined in many parts of Atlantis in ancient times, but that by Critias's own time, orichalcum was known only by name.

Orichalcum may have been a noble metal such as platinum, as it was supposed to be mined, but has been identified as pure copper or certain alloys of bronze, and especially brass alloys in the case of antique Roman coins, the latter being of "similar appearance to modern brass" according to scientific research.

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