Re: [OT by now] Re: Traditional dollar sign

From: John Cowan (cowan@mercury.ccil.org)
Date: Mon Oct 27 2003 - 07:29:32 CST


Asmus Freytag scripsit:

> Many monetary systems have coin sizes and weights that are based on
> the traditional precious or semi-precious metals once used. The nick-
> name for the nickel gives that away, associating it with a different
> metal than the (presumably once) silver-based dime/quarter/silver dollar
> based series.

Silver they were, until 1965 (though the dollar coin retained some silver
content until 1970). Now they are a copper core with copper-nickel cladding.
The nickel was not minted until 1866, and from 1866 to 1873 competed with
the silver half-dime, which was the original five cent coin. Ironically,
in 1943-45 nickels were actually minted in silver, as nickel was considered
strategic for the war effort. Current nickels are 75% copper and 25%
nickel, the same as the cladding of the other coins. (Pennies are
copper-clad zinc, however.)

-- 
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