When the Roman Emperor Vespasian (AD 9-79) was challenged over his policy of taxing public lavatories, he declared: "Money has no smell." In 2006, scientists at the University of Leipzig found out that he was right. The metallic smell we experience after handling coins is actually a type of body odour. When we touch the metal, sweat from the skin gains electrons, then reacts with body oils and causes them to decompose, creating the familiar smell.
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