Composition change of the Q and D coming?

[highroller4321]

http://mintnewsblog.com/2014/12/us-mint ... -congress/

"In light of these concerns, the Mint now seems to be focusing research on “seamless” materials that would not represent a change in electromagnetic signature eliminating the switching costs to the private sector. The leading candidate seems to be an alloy of 80% copper and 20% nickel. Basically, this would only modestly shift the proportions of metals in the current nickel, dime, and quarter to reduce the copper component.
The Mint’s conclusions stated that there are no alternative metal compositions to reduce the unit cost of the cent below its face value. The prospect or potential of eliminating the denomination was not mentioned or addressed."

[Sullysullinburg]

http://mintnewsblog.com/2014/12/us-mint-2014-biennial-report-to-congress/

"In light of these concerns, the Mint now seems to be focusing research on “seamless” materials that would not represent a change in electromagnetic signature eliminating the switching costs to the private sector. The leading candidate seems to be an alloy of 80% copper and 20% nickel. Basically, this would only modestly shift the proportions of metals in the current nickel, dime, and quarter to reduce the copper component.
The Mint’s conclusions stated that there are no alternative metal compositions to reduce the unit cost of the cent below its face value. The prospect or potential of eliminating the denomination was not mentioned or addressed."

If there is no way to fix the penny then why don't we just get rid of it???

[dannan14]

http://mintnewsblog.com/2014/12/us-mint-2014-biennial-report-to-congress/

"In light of these concerns, the Mint now seems to be focusing research on “seamless” materials that would not represent a change in electromagnetic signature eliminating the switching costs to the private sector. The leading candidate seems to be an alloy of 80% copper and 20% nickel. Basically, this would only modestly shift the proportions of metals in the current nickel, dime, and quarter to reduce the copper component.
The Mint’s conclusions stated that there are no alternative metal compositions to reduce the unit cost of the cent below its face value. The prospect or potential of eliminating the denomination was not mentioned or addressed."

If there is no way to fix the penny then why don't we just get rid of it???

It's not that there is no way to fix it...it's just that TPTB are terrified of the massive deflation it would take to make the cent worth something.

[ZenOps]

Must be a misprint. The current dime and quarter are already 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper. Moving to 20% nickel would be more expensive (nickel being as high as $23/pound)

Maybe they meant to say 80% copper and 20% zinc. Zinc is hovering around $1 per pound.

[coppernickel]

Must be a misprint. The current dime and quarter are already 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper. Moving to 20% nickel would be more expensive (nickel being as high as $23/pound)

Maybe they meant to say 80% copper and 20% zinc. Zinc is hovering around $1 per pound.

Right, there is no way they would be made more valuable.

[mhh]

The outer layers of the dime, quarter and half-dollar are 75% copper and 25% nickel; the core is 100% copper. The 80% copper, 20% nickel proposal probably refers to the outer layers only; this would indeed be a modest shift.

[dannan14]

The outer layers of the dime, quarter and half-dollar are 75% copper and 25% nickel; the core is 100% copper. The 80% copper, 20% nickel proposal probably refers to the outer layers only; this would indeed be a modest shift.

thanks for the clarification...this makes far more sense.

[henrysmedford]

I stumbled on the when looking into something else-http://www.jardenzinc.com/Coins-EMSecure.aspx Looks like you could match todays coins with lower cost base coins.

There is an ever growing need to provide coinage products with secure electro-magnetic signatures (EMS), at more affordable costs. Jarden Zinc Products has ongoing programs to achieve this for our customers. Given our distinctive experience with alloys and plating, we understand how to combine the two, creating unique or matching EMS signatures along with matching or new colors. EMSecure™ matches the EMS and color of cupronickel, a common material used in coins today, at a much reduced cost. Typical cupronickel contains 75% copper and 25% nickel. Our base material contains less copper, and virtually no nickel. In fact, if a white bronze plating were used, there would be no nickel in the alloy or the plating. We can also modify our alloy and plating to match the EMS of similar solid alloy coins, or to create a unique signal within the typical range for similar solid alloys. The finished color can also be modified to suit the customer’s needs. EMSecure™ offers exceptional performance at a substantially lower cost. It can be used as a direct substitute for the EMS and look of existing coins or to create new signatures and colors. Patent Pending Multiple source availability

[68Camaro]

Yeah - that's smart for them. I'm sure they are trying to proactively keep in the market, and the best way to do that is to offer a cheaper solution that meets the larger industry need.

[JadeDragon]

Retaining the EMS but building the coin from mainly zinc means Ryedale's would not be able to sort out the new coins from old. Much like how US War nicks have an EMS too close to 75/25 nickels for the Ryedale to find them. You would think the US would just go with the Canadian plated steel technology and save some real coin.

[InfleXion]

I didn't realize quarters were 90% copper. I figured they were zinc like the penny. Does that mean that quarters are worth holding on to like copper pennies? Any reason people don't?

[TwoAndAHalfCents]

The quarters may be primarily copper but the melt value is only about three cents. It's not worth holding clad quarters (or dimes) for their melt value.