Found a purpose for those pesky Canadian cents

I always hate getting these in change. You cash in change and they give them back to you. You can’t get rid of them. Well since a broad range of years are 98% copper, I figured they make good sacrificial objects to use in climate controlled boxes for protection from vapors and elements. Just buzz the oxidation off with a dremel and they’re ready to corrode again for you protecting your MS coins.

 

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I just spend them.

 

I hate to see coins damaged, but... where else are you gonna get two and a half cents worth of copper for one cent?

 

I send them back Postage Due to Canada.

 

In the US? How and where? I usually get Canadian coins from a shady cashier who swiftly slips them in with the US coins I get back in my change. It's gotten to the point where I will pause and look at the coins before I walk away from the register. When I happen to get them, I add them to the collection that I deposit into the giant sandbox at the park for the old man to find them while metal detecting at 0500 every few days.

 

Yes, in the US. No one really looks that closely at cents, or coins for that matter.

 

Until you try and use it at a parking meter, carwash, or vending machine. No worky worky.

 

That’s why I said spend it. Meaning at a store.

 

I don't like passing the buck, so to speak. I've got experience with that too. My mother was a waitress for years and she'd get these Canadian quarters in her tips. She would pass them on to me as lunch money. .50 cents for lunch when I was in elementary school. It worked for a little while, but eventually the lunch lady caught on. Figured out it was me passing them on to her. I remember she told me to tell my mother that that if I brought any more to her, I wouldn't get lunch that day. She let it slip a few times after that, but eventually she made good on her word. My mother didn't care. So I went without lunch a number of time.

 

Pre 1982 US cents

 

Hey, now that I think about it -- why trash a perfectly good copper cent for this? All you care about is the copper surface, and you can get that with a trashy Zincoln. Heck, if the zinc gets exposed, that's an even better scavenger than copper!

So don't grind any more copper cents. Shine up your Zincolns and use them. Their surface copper is even higher purity than the Canadian cents!

Disclaimer: I'm only saying this because I love chemistry, not because I hate Zincolns. At least, not just because I hate Zincolns.

 

I pulled about 10 lbs of Canadian cents while CRH in Upstate NY
Of course I saved the best
Then I took the remains of a closed LCS in Florida of all places

 

I don't know where my father got his Canadian pennies. He was in the U.S. Army and travelled a great deal. My brother and I split them. I put mine in 2x2s. Who know when they might be worth something..

 

Except for the really old ones, I say throw them in an American wishing well and make a wish for Peace!

 

I know many disagree with me, but because the Canadian cent is no longer produced, I believe they will increase in value. Yes, it may be 20 years in the future, but they will be in higher demand, just like any other coins that are no longer produced, especially if sold overseas where they are not common. JMHO.

 

I pulled a number of these during CRH events. Then found a fellow enthusiast north of the boarder and traded for the balance I have.

 

Your going to ruffle a few feathers. I’m trying to put some sets together (no way complete) to give them away. My coin shop doesn’t carry the Canada books. Some one send me some old busted up folders and I’ll be on my way. I’ve been dragging my feet on this mission

 

Isn’t there a crazy year when there’s like 6 of the same date. I’m guessing 2006. Nice collection

 

What is a 2003 WP

 

Only a few empty slots. I’d have to get them filled.