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# Adulteration of Metals

## Definition

The fraudulent practice of mixing cheaper materials with precious metals to create compositions that appear valuable but contain significantly less precious metal content, deceiving merchants who cannot easily detect the fraud without assaying.

## Source Chapter

Book I, Chapter 4

## Context

Smith describes how the lack of official certification in unstamped metal currency creates opportunities for fraud through adulteration, where merchants might receive metals that only appear to be pure but contain cheaper base materials.

## Economic Domain

Regulation

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