Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Conder101, post: 1361131, member: 66&quot;]That is the official line but probably not accurate considering vending machines coin mechanisms back then were strictly mechanical and didn&#039;t check electromagnetic properties of the coins.&nbsp; Also if that was the case then today&#039;s vending machines wouldn&#039;t be rejecting silver.&nbsp; In fact the machines back then DID have difficulties accepting both types because of the weight difference.&nbsp; (I also don&#039;t believe they have the same electromagnetic signatures because that is what allows a discriminating metal detector to tell the difference between a clad quarter and a silver one.)</p><p><br /></p><p>What we were really wanting was a composition that was counterfeit resistant.&nbsp; The clad composition was very difficult to produce and it was thought to be a built in anti-counterfeiting feature.</p><p><br /></p><p>Most countries switched from silver to coppernickel decades before we did during a time when it was much more important to maintain the appearence that the coinage was not being debased and the solid coppernickel didn&#039;t stick the change right in their face.&nbsp; (Especially for those countries that had originally done a debasement first to 500 fine and then later to complete elimination.)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in