Obsolete Coins Used for Other Things

[Know Common Cents]

Last Fall I was on the yard sale circuit and encountered a child-size plastic bucket full of shiny Mexican coins. My immediate check for Ag or Cu was pointless, but my mind started working. Hmmmmmmmm.

There were over 250 pieces of mid-1980s Mexican 1 peso coins. These are the exact size of a US quarter, but made of stainless steel. The yard sale lady said that her husband used them for poker chips. No idea of where he acquired them, although she said "they've always been around." He's now in a nursing home and has no need for them. Tried them for that purpose and they work pretty well. The $1 (one peso) marking initially excites unknowing friends, but that fades fast. Virtually indestructible, you know.

I also found another use for them. They make dandy washers for many building applications. Just drill to the size you need and have at it.

By the way, I paid $1.00 for the hoard and kept the bucket even though I'm not prone to playing in the sand. Anyone know what a pound of stainless is worth these days? Thanks.

[fb101]

The exchange rate would have been about $20 if you could find a buyer.....
Good idea though.

[Thogey]

The exchange rate would have been about $20 if you could find a buyer.....
Good idea though.

Those are old pesos. The are demonetized. The exchange is 1/10 cent per peso. They are worth 2.5 cents exchange.

The stainless is worth much more.

New pesos are Bi-metal. Those are about 14 to the dollar.

[AGgressive Metal]

Today its more like 12:1 - thanks Bernank!

[PennyPauper]

Today its more like 12:1 - thanks Bernank!

Oh come on,stop beating up on poor ben.He's trying so hard propping up the market! And bailing out the U.S.
I hope Ron shows no mercy! No quarter.

[flbandit]

Last SS I took in was about a buck a pound, but was quite awhile back.

[Thogey]

Today its more like 12:1 - thanks Bernank!

Wow! that happened fast. At this rate, the peso will be at parity with the USD in about 18-24 months.

[AGgressive Metal]

Today its more like 12:1 - thanks Bernank!

Wow! that happened fast. At this rate, the peso will be at parity with the USD in about 18-24 months.

With the Canadian Dollar at parity, all they need is the Peso at 10:1 and then the switch to a regional currency will be very easy OK, maybe that's tinfoil hat, but it would seem really random if the three North American currencies were all in sync like that.

[Cerulean]

I use foreign coins as currency when playing board games. They're a lot easier to repetitively handle than paper notes, and easier to make change. Depending on the game, I use Canadian, British, Cuban, or Colombian coins which I get in bulk at coin shows. For traveling, my favorite coins for gaming are Trinidad & Tobago... they are cheap, tiny, and I have a whole bunch of them.