Silver metal in its pure state has a brilliant white metallic lustre. It is a little harder than gold and is very ductile and malleable. It is classified with the precious metals. Silver is stable in pure air and water, but tarnishes when exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulphide, or air containing sulphur because of the formation of a silver sulphide.

It has the highest electrical and heat conductivity of all metals and the lowest contact resistance. Cold working will reduce this conductivity. When heated above its boiling point, silver boils off as a green vapour. Silver is soluble in nitric acid and in hot sulphuric acid.
Coin silver (a silver alloy) with 90% silver and 10% copper.