It seems that the US is not the only country having problems with people wanting to melt down coins for the value of the metal contained in them. In India the problem has become so bad that some merchants are now issuing cardboard tokens to be used as coins because there simply are no coins left. Could this happen here in the US ? Read the story - HERE
Wouldn't be surprised to see that happening in China as well. Metal is very scarce. Not sure if it would/could really happen in the US though. It's ashame - makes you wonder what the future holds for coins around the globe. Thanks Darryl
This is all because the monetary value of the coins have decreased so much that the value of the metal in the coin is greater than the value of the coin. Compare what a nickel could buy you 100 years ago to it's value today. I don't think it's rocket science, but apparently it is.
I read a story where an Indian woman was selling 100 rupees outside a bank for 120 rupees. I guess she could make change.
To some degree this is about the value of the metal but on the other hand, it's also about being able to produce a product and sell it for more than coin's worth.
samjammy All bullion (silver, gold, palladium and platinum),commemorative, SPEs, Proof-like and proof coins are minted under that premise. Clinker
I've been expecting that to happen with the US cent, for the last couple of years. It might happen after the centennial.
That's pretty interesting. The US had its own period where hard times tokens and Civil War tokens had to be privately issued to relieve coin shortages. I'd rather see them change the denomination on coins than eliminate them.