Study: Euro coins have antimicrobial activity, in contrast to banknotes
(PHYSorg.com Biology)

Research due to be presented at this year`s European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) shows that European banknotes are more easily contaminated by microbes than coins. However, coins made from antimicrobial metals such as copper can still be sources of contamination. The study is by Professor Johannes Knobloch, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, and colleagues.