Who's got beef with the nickel?
U.S.Rep. Frank Lucas, a coin nerd numismatist who "proudly represents Oklahoma's 3rd Congressional
District," that's who. The Democrat has introduced legislation that
would replace the familiar Jefferson nickel with a smaller, half-dime
coin. Which reportedly also be worth five cents (duh) and move away
from the cuddly/rotund nickel we all know in favor of a leaner, lighter
version that's a nod to the past:
The half-dime saw the beginning of its demise with the minting of the heavier and larger nickel in 1866, which has kept its size and weight to this day. Should H.R. 6942 follow the half-dime specifications, a new 5-cent coin would be smaller than a Roosevelt dime, and weigh half as much. In the words of Owen, "not light enough to blow away in a strong breeze, though almost." [CoinNews.net]
Of course, it's not just about aesthetics -- according to CoinNews.net, the price of minting a nickel was as high as nearly 10 cents earlier this year, because prices for copper were high. Now, prices have fallen, meaning Lucas's vicious campaign of hate against the coin your granny uses to play the really cheap slots at Bally's will likely languish in committee.
So aside from the cost savings from not using copper, which seem
inconsistent, how much would it cost to design, mint and market a new
coin, not to mention refitting machines, etc.? And why would Congress
spend its time on legislation like this?Wait, don't answer that.
RELATED: Dude I haven't been on the U.S. Mint tour since elementary school!
