Bacteria from a coin. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of bacteria cultured from a english one pound coin. A study that tested a random selection of coins and notes of all denominations discovered the presence of 19 kinds of bacteria, including two life threatening bacteria associated with antibiotic resistant superbugs - Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Bacteria associated with MRSA was discovered on the 2p, 5p, 10p, ? and ? coins, as well as the ?0, ?0 and ?0 notes. MRSA can lead to boils, skin infections, food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. The bacteria Enterococcus faecium was found on the 2p, 5p and 10p coins as well as the ?0 note. This bacteria can cause blood, abdomen, skin and urinary tract infections. Magnification: x2600 when printed at 10cm wide.