Algeria's dinar coinage has undergone repeated compositional changes since the 1990s as the central bank navigated import costs and metal price volatility. The shift to AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel — a grade commonly used in industrial applications for its corrosion resistance and low nickel content — reflects a broader regional trend among North African mints toward cheaper, more durable alloys. AISI 430 is notably magnetic, which aids automated sorting in modern cash-handling infrastructure.
Algeria's dinar coinage has undergone repeated compositional changes since the 1990s as the central bank navigated import costs and metal price volatility. The shift to AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel — a grade commonly used in industrial applications for its corrosion resistance and low nickel content — reflects a broader regional trend among North African mints toward cheaper, more durable alloys. AISI 430 is notably magnetic, which aids automated sorting in modern cash-handling infrastructure.