1964 Composition Change: Alternatives Considered

coin counters don't work solely on weight; the speed at which they run most sort by size then use electromagnetic resistance to tell if the coin matches. Quote:Coin acceptors do not actually look for the differences between coins but rather compares the coins that are inserted to various characteristics the device is looking for in regards to the identification properties of previously identified coins (usually via a program developed by the device manufacturer). If the inserted coin matches one of the sets of identification characteristics programmed into the device, then a pre-determined signal is output. If the coin inserted does not match any of the pre-determined recognition conditions then the coin will be rejected and returned. how a ryedel works: quote: If the moving coin "looks" or "matches" the electronic signature of the sample coin it is accepted, if it does not, it is simply rejected.

The thing you have to consider is what the coin mechanisms were in 1964 not what they are like today. Telephone systems put in detectors that used the electromagnetic characteristic early on. They were experimenting with it in the 19 teens. But most every old mechanism that I have seen from the old machines were all strictly mechanical, and I know vending machines back in the sixties often would not accept both clad and silver. I've never tested them but I would have my doubts that silver and clad coins have the same electromagnetic properties.

Almost exactly the same. Copper and nickel have almost the same density so different % compositions of copper and nickel have almost no effect on the weight.

Yes it would have been easier, but the clad composition was also an anti-counterfeiting measure. Clad strip/planchets would be pretty much impossible for counterfeiters to make. The ingots that would be rolled out to make the strip were bonded together using explosives. Get the shaped charges wrong and you don't get good even bonding.