steel core --nickel plated -"monsters" -all canadain money under $1 in value minted since 2000 is steel cored* the cent is copper coated and the others are nickel coated ---since 2003 canadain govt has been "reclaiming" all the valuible metals used in their coinage ( like copper , nickel and old silver containing coins that gets turned in to the banks )--by law the banks are forced to sort out and turn in these coins to the canadian treasury -- in exchange for "new" junk replacement coinage.) --canada's govt reported that they made * 8 million dollars via their alloy metals "recovery" program last year * under the "recovery" program ALL PRE 2000 CANADAIN COINS ARE TO BE "REMOVED" FROM CURCULATION ( note to coin collectors* candain coins pre 2000 will become scarce driving prices up) -- their public is stuck with using this worthless steel ( govt steal) money (it has no valuible metal backing in it)