A device in accordance with the present invention has a top metal layer that shows increased resistance to degradation such as abrasion, erosion, or both. A device in accordance with the present invention includes a device layer and a top metal layer. The device layer includes contact sensing elements and has a plurality of depressions that extend into the device layer. The first metal layer overlies or is adjacent to the contact sensing elements and extends into the depressions. Preferably, a surface of the metal layer opposed to the device layer is contoured to the depressions. In some embodiments the top metal layer makes electrical connections to the contact sensor, but in other embodiments it does not. Preferably, the device forms a finger swipe sensor, and the contact sensing elements are coupled to finger swipe processing electronics.