Have been saving coppers in a giant ammo can (and rolling / boxing / stacking zincolns). If (when) inflation hits full force, the penny and nickel will very likely become obsolete. People won't want them, banks may not take them, the government will stop making them (already a $$$ losing venture), etc. If that happens, melting may be allowed and the copper value will be a strong profit. If, by chance of a miracle, US dollars are not dropped from helicopters in the future, they each are still worth exactly what I paid for them. In short, opportunity for gain = possible to probable. Chance of loss = nil.