US Coins to change composition - and color?

[Dan Hughes]

Last month, the United States Mint submitted a 400-page report to Congress that could make the coin identification circuitry of our metal detectors obsolete.

A move is afoot to save the government big bucks by changing the metal composition of our coins.

No longer would a penny be a zincoln. No longer would our dimes and quarters be made from the 92% - 8% copper-nickel ratio we use now.

And metal detectors that are programmed to recognize our current coins would be mightily confused with different metal formulations.

This is a photo of a prototype quarter, made from a metal formulation that would give it a yellow or golden hue. (NOTE: The picture and wording are random because the mint didn't want to create "collectible" experimental coins).

Is this the future of our United States coinage system?


Listen to show #115 at In the Corner with Dan Hughes.

 

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[liftloop]

Dan,
I really in joy your pod casts, keep them roll-n-

thanks, liftloop

 

[Frankn]

I would like to see them select coin patterns and stick to them. There are now so many patterns for quarters that most can't tell if it is a real quarter. By the way, the Mexican quarter, which is worth less than 2 cents, works well in our coin operated equipment. Ops, did I say that Frank

 

[PeteWmass]

or perhaps they will end up being easier to tell apart on the detector...

 

[liftloop]

it's going to have a v.d.i number all right, that won't be hard to fig-or out....But a beep and dig detector that opens up a world of confusion.
It mite lie were you can't discretion it out with out 1. losing all the good "stuff" or 2. digging every thing for nothing because it just mite be....just think of an iron grunt..
our currency is losing face value again that is sad. As a nation ran by the people...

lifloop

 

[cti4sw]

In theory, it's a nation ran by the people. In actuality, however, the politicians in the capitals do whatever the hell they want without legal consequence. Votes and elections are pointless, because once someone is elected, they are free to pursue any agenda they wish for the duration of their term. Voting them out at the next election doesn't undo anything they did while they "served".

Just wanted to clear the air...

 

[Edmundruffin]

The Roman Republic devalued their currency before their collapse. Mixing in lesser valued metals.

 

[Dan Hughes]

The Roman Republic devalued their currency before their collapse. Mixing in lesser valued metals.

How long before?

For us, it's been 49 years. (69 if you count the 1944 steel pennies.)

 

[Keppy]

Well then i would say that most of my detectors would still work...... For they have no screen only tone............

 

[Dan Hughes]

Well then i would say that most of my detectors would still work...... For they have no screen only tone............

Yes, but if they had iron content they might be rejected completely, unless you turned your discrimination completely off.