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Message:: [QUOTE="Numbers, post: 1147775, member: 11668"]Halves aren't needed, because you can always use two quarters.  But nickels are needed to make change, as long as dimes and quarters both exist. Sure, you can make 55c or 80c using just dimes and quarters.  But you can't make 5c or 15c.  So it's possible to have a scenario where there are two amounts you *can* make, but the *difference* between those amounts, you *can't* make.  And in such a case, you can't give change for purchases. If an item costs 85c, the customer *could* pay with three quarters and a dime, and everything would be okay.  But *if* the customer paid with a dollar, there wouldn't be any way for the merchant to return the 15c change.  The customer is in trouble unless he's got exactly 85c in coins handy. When the nickel exists, as long as the merchant has a cash register full of coins, change can always be made.  But without the nickel, the *customer* has to carry exact change for all transactions.  Unless you don't mind potentially being shorted on every transaction, you've got to keep a good supply of dimes and quarters in your pocket at all times.[/QUOTE]