Corrosion resistance is a vital property of the coinage metals and it's what keeps them looking beautiful and shiny through the years. These metals are inherently resistant to corrosion, which means they aren't affected much by exposure to water or air.
Gold, in particular, is one of the least reactive metals and doesn't tarnish, while copper and silver can still resist corrosion better than many other metals. Silver might tarnish slightly over time due to reactions with sulfur compounds in the air, forming a thin layer of black tarnish, but this can be easily polished off.
- Gold: Excellent resistance, untouched by moisture or air.
- Silver: Slight tarnishing, can be polished.
- Copper: Better than many metals, but less resistant than gold.