Replace "Copper-Nickel" with "Cupro-Nickel"

As I understand it, Numista has a preference for British English over American English. If that's the case, can I request that we replace the American "Copper-Nickel" with the British "Cupro-Nickel" throughout? This should just require a single change in the database’s setup, so it isn't the massive undertaking one might imagine.
As evidence, look at the British Royal Mint's website and coin sets, the UK Coinage Acts (e.g., https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/9-10/74/contents/enacted) and the OED. For those without access to the OED, "cupro-nickel" is defined as "an alloy of copper and nickel" whilst "copper-nickel" has the definition "arsenical nickel = niccolite n.", in other words, the OED does not recognise the use of "copper-nickel" to mean the alloy. Clearly this use is understood in the USA so, if there's an American English version, it should be used (alongside color and aluminum) but not in the British English version.
I know why copper-nickel has been used. It's because SCWC uses it but, since this is an American publication, that's not suprising. Seaby's Catalogue of British coins uses cupro-nickel.

Agree. However, there are more than just one "copper-nickel" to replace. There are at least 5 other ways used to describe the alloy:

Copper-nickel (Copper (.75) + Nickel (.25))
Copper-nickel (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%)
Copper-nickel (Cu750 Ni250)
Copper-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel; non-magnetic)
Copper-nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel)

It would be nice to just clean this up into one material listing.

Also, the US Mint does not use "copper-nickel" to describe the material for these coins. It uses "25% Nickel, Balance Copper".

Edit: Just realized that the descriptors for copper-nickel are free text input so would still remain if copper-nickel were replaced with cupro-nickel. Too bad.

Quote: "rsirian1"​Agree. However, there are more than just one "copper-nickel" to replace. There are at least 5 other ways used to describe the alloy:
​
​Copper-nickel (Copper (.75) + Nickel (.25))
​Copper-nickel (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%)
​Copper-nickel (Cu750 Ni250)
​Copper-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel; non-magnetic)
​Copper-nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel)
​
​It would be nice to just clean this up into one material listing.
​
​Also, the US Mint does not use "copper-nickel" to describe the material for these coins. It uses "25% Nickel, Balance Copper".

​The text in brackets is a separate field to add extra details. It would be nice to have consistency there too, particularly as to whether we use % or permil. I must admit that I didn't check the US mint site until now. It looks like SCWC is the exception.

I also found this deeper into the US Mint web site where it was describing the nickel:

I thought this would be difficult but I think you've made it a lot easier. Many thanks.

I think the word copper is far better understood then the term cupro- ... so I am against a change.
Change just for the sake of it doesn't serve anyone.
Google trends (yes, I know it's not the best)

Quote: "Idolenz"​I think the word copper is far better understood then the term cupro- ... so I am against a change.
​Change just for the sake of it doesn't serve anyone.

I take your point but, speaking as a chemist, many elements have a different form when used at the begining of compounds or alloys. Copper doesn't always change to cupro but this isn't the only example (the OED includes cuprammonium). Also, it isn't change. As rsirian1 and I have shown, copper-nickel is only used in SCWC. Everywhere else uses cupro-nickel.

I also have a background in chemistry and I have no problem understanding it I just want to minimize confusion for normal people.

Quote: "rsirian1"​I also found this deeper into the US Mint web site where it was describing the nickel:
​
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​I can agree with the term cupro-nickel (reluctantly), but the mint website is wrong about the composition being 25% Ni, balance Cu.
It should say 75% Cu, balance Ni. You always start with the main component first and work your way down...
Cu-Ni-Zn is not the same as Cu-Zn-Ni !!!
So if they're wrong about the composition of the coins, maybe they're wrong about the term cupro-nickel also?

Quote: "Newtony" but the mint website is wrong about the composition being 25% Ni, balance Cu.
​It should say 75% Cu, balance Ni.

It is common, and standard in material specifications, to refer to the major alloying element as the"balance" while percentages for the minor elements are used. If percentages are given for all the elements then yes, order from most to least is the common way. Regardless of if you prefer "75% Cu, balance Ni" or "25% Ni, balance Cu" they are both unambiguous in meaning and doesn't throw into question the Mint's use of the term cupro-nickel.

While I personally prefer cupro-nickel over copper-nickel I would not be at all upset if it weren't changed.

Quote: "ceh2019"​​As I understand it, Numista has a preference for British English over American English.

​I think we should firstly try to stick to simple, accessible vocabulary, common for all local varieties of English, not just British and American. Only if not possible, then British, yes.

Quote: "ceh2019" in other words, the OED does not recognise the use of "copper-nickel" to mean the alloy.

OED does not list all possible combinations of metals to define them as an alloy of those metals. You won't find "nickel-zinc" in OED. Obviously, this does not mean that "nickel-zinc" is not "recognised" in Britain. Of course it is! We are just putting a hyphen between two nouns. Same for copper-nickel.

Idolenz pointed out that copper-nickel is more common and easier to understand. You can also check the n-gram.

Based on this, I don't support this change.

Quote: "Idolenz"​I also have a background in chemistry and I have no problem understanding it I just want to minimize confusion for normal people.

​I object to the insinuation that chemists aren't normal people! More seriously, I doubt there is a single person with even a vague knowledge of coins or metals that could fail to understand what cupro-nickel means. Sadly, too many people have become accustomed to the term "copper-nickel" solely due to its use in SCWC (thus explaining the small advantage copper-nickel has in the n-gram). No-one else uses it. As far as I can tell, Krause and Mishler invented it. Until today, I assumed it was the American English term but, as rsirian1 has demonstrated, it isn't even that.
Of course, just in case there are people who fail to link the terms cupro and copper, we could ensure that all alloys have their composition set out in full. This would fix a lot other problems at the same time.

The term 'Cupro' is actually derived from both Greek & Latin for 'Copper'.

The Greek word for 'Copper' is where the name 'Cyprus' comes from - as copper was commonly mined there in the ancient period.

I always use the term 'Cupro-Nickel'.

Aidan.

Quote: "BCNumismatics"​The term 'Cupro' is actually derived from both Greek & Latin for 'Copper'.
​
​The Greek word for 'Copper' is where the name 'Cyprus' comes from - as copper was commonly mined there in the ancient period.
​
​I always use the term 'Cupro-Nickel'.
​
​Aidan.

​Honestly cu-ni is easier and you don't need to fight about it at all

Quote: "Sjoelund"​​​Honestly cu-ni is easier and you don't need to fight about it at all

​We'd probably still argue about how to pronounce it!

Quote: "ceh2019"​

Quote: "Sjoelund"​​​Honestly cu-ni is easier and you don't need to fight about it at all
​
​

​​We'd probably still argue about how to pronounce it!

​No, you would just see it written

I am happy to see that Numista prefers English rather than American(ised) pseudo English.

I came across this page via Google AI, which dubiously states:

 

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Both cupronickel and cupro-nickel are correct and commonly used to describe the same copper-nickel alloy. "Cupronickel" is often found in technical or dictionary contexts, while "cupro-nickel" is frequently used in numismatics (coin collecting) and the industry to denote the, usually 75/25, mix of copper and nickel. 
 

Usage: They are interchangeable in most contexts, including describing marine-grade alloy or silver-colored coinage.
Alternative Term: Both are frequently referred to as copper-nickel.
Composition: Generally, it refers to an alloy with copper and 5–30% nickel. 
 

According to Wikipedia, "cupronickel" (or copper–nickel) is a durable alloy resistant to corrosion. While The Royal Mint typically uses "cupro-nickel," it is a matter of style rather than correctness. 
In summary, neither is "wrong," but "cupronickel" (one word) is a more common dictionary spelling, whereas "cupro-nickel" (hyphenated) is often used to emphasize the two components, notes this Numista forum discussion. 

 

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My strong preference is for the earlier, and more logical and scientific hyphenated version cupro-nickel.
BTW: Although Cu-Ni is a convenient and concise abbreviation, it is not as clear as using the entire word. Besides, I find that if I find myself trying to use the abbreviated form, then predictive text takes over after the third letter!

😎

Why bring AI into this? 

Lawrence Chard

BTW: Although Cu-Ni is a convenient and concise abbreviation, it is not as clear as using the entire word. Besides, I find that if I find myself trying to use the abbreviated form, then predictive text takes over after the third letter!

😎

Also Cu-Ni (or CuNi) aren't in the approved list of abbreviations. For the reason you mentioned – it isn't as clear, especially for people who don't speak English or French well.

What I don't understand as elemental symbols are some of the few things that are universally the same in every modern language and script.