Posted 03/20/2007 12:46 pm
LOL, if the Mint(by act of Congress I believe) removes nickel content from the 5 cent piece, I guess we can't call it a nickel anymore- we will have to go back to calling it a half-dime
In all seriousness, alot of consideration would have to go into a composition change for the nickel due to its use in vending machines and a reliance upon a particular electrical signature. More than likely, the US Mint will unleash its horde of metallurgists to come up with a new, less expensive alloy with a similar electrical signature to 75/25 cupro-nickel. At any rate, it will be awhile before any composition change is decided on and who cares? It is not like a regular nickel will ever have much value considering billions are made very year.
Take note- the metal prices the seller quotes are raw material commodities. If it were legal to melt nickels, you wouldnt get close to that price due to the fact that the coins would have to smelted to remove copper from nickel and that can be an expensive process on a small scale.
In all seriousness, alot of consideration would have to go into a composition change for the nickel due to its use in vending machines and a reliance upon a particular electrical signature. More than likely, the US Mint will unleash its horde of metallurgists to come up with a new, less expensive alloy with a similar electrical signature to 75/25 cupro-nickel. At any rate, it will be awhile before any composition change is decided on and who cares? It is not like a regular nickel will ever have much value considering billions are made very year.
Take note- the metal prices the seller quotes are raw material commodities. If it were legal to melt nickels, you wouldnt get close to that price due to the fact that the coins would have to smelted to remove copper from nickel and that can be an expensive process on a small scale.
