[Discussion] A Manufacturer’s perspective on the “Memento Mori” coin trend + The metallurgy of Zinc vs. Brass

Hey everyone,

I’ve been lurking here for a while. I operate a mint (mostly making pieces for military/fire departments), and lately, I’ve noticed a massive shift in the types of dies we are cutting.

Five years ago, it was almost exclusively unit crests and logos. Today? It’s skulls, hourglasses, and the phrase “Amor Fati.”

The Memento Mori (“Remember you must die”) concept has officially crossed over from ancient philosophy to a staple piece of EDC gear. As someone who makes these things for a living, I wanted to share some insight into why the manufacturing has changed, and the material science behind what makes a “good” coin feel the way it does.

1. The Psychology of Weight (Physical Anchors)

From a production standpoint, we are seeing a demand for “heavier” blanks. People aren’t just carrying these for aesthetics; they seem to be using them as “Physical Anchors.” In a world of digital notifications, having a dense, cold piece of metal in your pocket acts as a grounding tool. It’s essentially a fidget object, but one with philosophical weight.

2. The Metallurgy: Die-Cast vs. Die-Struck

If you carry a coin, you might notice some feel “warm” and others feel “tinny.” This usually comes down to the base metal and the manufacturing method.

Zinc Alloy (Injection Molded)

• Process: Molten zinc is injected into a mold (like plastic).
• Characteristics: It is lighter and less dense. Because zinc is grey, it must be plated to look like gold or bronze.
• The Wear: If you drop it on concrete, the plating can chip, revealing the grey base metal underneath.
• The Sound: If you flip it, it makes a dull “thud.”

Solid Brass/Copper (Die-Struck)

• Process: A solid strip of cold metal is struck by a steel die with tons of pressure.
• Characteristics: It is significantly denser. It doesn’t require plating to be gold/bronze — that is the natural color of the metal.
• The Patina: The most interesting part about raw brass is that it interacts with the oils in your hand and the oxygen in the air. Over 6 months, a brass coin will darken and develop a unique “antique” character that zinc simply cannot replicate.
• The Sound: It rings like a bell (high pitch) when flipped.

3. The “High Relief” Technique

You might notice some coins have very deep, realistic skull designs while others look flat. This is a technique we call “High Relief.”

• Standard Coin: Design depth is usually 0.3mm.
• High Relief: We push the depth to 1.5mm or 2mm.

To achieve this, the press has to strike the metal multiple times (annealing the metal in between strikes so it doesn’t crack). It’s a much more labor-intensive process, but it allows for that “sculptural” feel where you can feel the eye sockets of a skull design with your thumb.

Discussion: For those of you who carry a coin: Do you prefer the shiny look of a new coin, or do you like it when the brass oxidizes and gets dark/dirty over time?

Why this is “Safe”:

• It frames you as a Maker, not a Seller.
• It teaches the community how to identify quality (Sound test, Patina) without telling them where to buy.
• It encourages discussion about “Patina preference,” which is a very popular topic in EDC circles.