Gilding metal is a form of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) with a much higher copper content than zinc content.
[2] Gilding metal is used for various purposes, including the jackets of bullets, driving bands on some artillery shells,[3] as well as enameled badges and other jewellery.
The sheet is widely used for craft metalworking by hammer working.
Starting in 1944, shell casings made of gilding metal were melted down by the United States Mint to be made into pennies.
[6] It should be cooled slowly afterwards, to reduce risk of cracking.