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 Replies: 93 / Views: 5,387 |
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Pillar of the Community
Russian Federation
5042 Posts |
I grew up in post-1998 Russia, where the lowest circulating denomination was the 1 kopek - at the time worth about one thirtieth of a US cent. It was minted in the millions until 2009, and sporadically in lower amounts after that (in 2014 to ease currency transition in occupied Crimea; in some other years for collectors).
I loved the kopek, and never understood places that got rid of all their low denominations. (Which eventually included Russia, in the late 2010s.) As far as I'm concerned coinage should go as far down as the public wants - if there's no demand for the really low stuff then just don't mint as much of it. Philippines and Thailand do it right, with their centavos and satangs.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4982 Posts |
My thought, IF The Lincoln Cents were the Pre- 1983 mostly copper Cents, I would be in Favor of Keeping the Cent.  However they are talking about the " Alka- Seltzer- Like " , De-solvable Zincs, Please dispose of these as of Yesterday....  ps, Why, Who, or What force decided the Changing from Mostly Copper to the Zinc's was the " right " move?  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1809 Posts |
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Changing from Mostly Copper to the Zinc I have no clue as to the command chain of decision making in this regard, but it was undoubtedly an economic one, as zinc is less costly than copper, and not as important to other industries. It really does seem like a bad decision, given the propensity for 'zincolns' to corrode easily, and worse, the poisoning that can happen when kids swallow them.
Edited by mysilveryears
01/26/2025 4:12 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
8183 Posts |
In Australia we got rid of the 1c & 2c coins in 1990. New Zealand has gone further and got rid of the 5c too. Everything is rounded up or down, it's no big deal. We still sell items at $0.96 etc, it's just the final basket that's rounded. I look forward to the day when I can say my U.S. 1 cent collection is completed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4380 Posts |
The law was changed to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to choose alternate compositions for the very minor coins. 31 U.S. Code § 5112 - Denominations, specifications, and design of coins https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112Quote:
(a)The Secretary of the Treasury may mint and issue only the following coins:
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(5)a 5-cent coin that is 0.835 inch in diameter and weighs 5 grams.
(6)except as provided under subsection (c) of this section, a one-cent coin that is 0.75 inch in diameter and weighs 3.11 grams. and Quote:
(c)The Secretary may prescribe the weight and the composition of copper and zinc in the alloy of the one-cent coin that the Secretary decides are appropriate when the Secretary decides that a different weight and alloy of copper and zinc are necessary to ensure an adequate supply of one-cent coins to meet the needs of the United States. -----Burton 50 year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, OnLine Coin Club Owned by four cats and a wife of 40 years (joined 1983) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1809 Posts |
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In 1982, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury was Donald T. Regan. He served as Secretary from 1981 to 1985 under President Ronald Reagan. Before becoming Treasury Secretary, Regan was the White House Chief of Staff.
I love chat GPT. Now we know who the culprit was. Betcha he never consulted a single coin collector. Quote:
the day when I can say my U.S. 1 cent collection is completed. A complete collection of US cents from 1792 through ~2025 would indeed be something worth celebrating ! 
Edited by mysilveryears
01/26/2025 8:28 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
8183 Posts |
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A complete collection of US cents from 1792 through ~2025 would indeed be something worth celebrating ! Sorry, I meant Lincoln cents.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21645 Posts |
Perhaps pennies should be made from injection molded plastic to reduce productions costs. ?  Logical maybe, - plastic banknotes are in wide sale circulation in many countries. - - -, or am I being the devil's advocate to increase pollution for a one time only use coin ? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17494 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18605 Posts |
Plincolns are already available.  Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
United States
413 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
164010 Posts |
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Betcha he never consulted a single coin collector. Unnecessary. Coins exist for commerce, not collectors. Out ability to collect them is a secondary function.
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Moderator
United States
164010 Posts |
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Perhaps pennies should be made from injection molded plastic to reduce productions costs. ? Again, and I cannot stress this enough, but even if the materials arrived freely from the thin air, the manufacturing process (die production, machine maintenance, electricity, etc.) leaves the cost for each cent above one cent. This does not even take into account the warehousing and shipping these things to the banks.  GIVE IT UP! There is no way to make the cent cost effective. NONE! 
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Moderator
United States
164010 Posts |
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Plincolns are already available. Yup, and they sell for tw o ce nts each. How does that help?  
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Valued Member
United States
447 Posts |
Just an idea - make them copper again and only make 1 million for 2025.That will save them money, and make them much more valuable.  |
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Replies: 93 / Views: 5,387 |
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Posted 01/26/2025 2:10 pm
