Copper

Copper was the first metal that humans dealt with and is still one of the most often used metals today. Copper combines readily with other metals to make common alloys like brass and bronze. Copper is classified as a base metal because it oxidizes readily. Along with silver and gold, copper was used to manufacturing coins. It is the least valuable of the three metals since it is the most prevalent. All US coinage is now copper alloys, and gun metals contain copper as well. The majority of copper is utilized in electrical equipment like wires and motors.