Trivia Question

[Argyria]

Originally Posted by akak

I have it on good authority that by simply taking them to -20 or -30 F, the silver center can be popped out with a hammer, or even by throwing the coin hard against a brick wall or onto pavement --- but in the latter case, one would then have to chase down the center as it flew off in some random direction!

Interesting. I wondered how well they had the two metals bonded together. I wonder if people will recognize the silver as being the part that gives the coin value, and pop them out like this. Would certainly make for a smaller, better looking coin, as long as the damage from the impact isn't too great. Of course, this is probably illegal.

[akak]

Originally Posted by Argyria

Interesting. I wondered how well they had the two metals bonded together. I wonder if people will recognize the silver as being the part that gives the coin value, and pop them out like this. Would certainly make for a smaller, better looking coin, as long as the damage from the impact isn't too great. Of course, this is probably illegal.

I wouldn't worry too much about what is legal or not legal to do with Mexican coins, unless you happen to try this in Mexico! Even then, I suspect they have bigger fish to fry.

But on a related note, an evil thought just occurred to me: in the 1960's, during the silver coin shortage, the US government made it illegal to melt down any US silver coins. I wonder, might they try the same thing with US gold and silver Eagle bullion coins during a potential future gold and/or silver shortage? I realize the incentives would be different, as gold and silver Eagles do not circulate as true coinage in the US today, but I try to never underestimate the pure diabolical evil of anyone in government, especially the federal government.

[Argyria]

Originally Posted by akak

I wouldn't worry too much about what is legal or not legal to do with Mexican coins, unless you happen to try this in Mexico! Even then, I suspect they have bigger fish to fry.

Well, it is going to be interesting to see if it becomes common practice to knock the center out.

[DaleFromCalgary]

"in the 1960's, during the silver coin shortage, the US government made it illegal to melt down any US silver coins."

Which is why huge amounts of them wound up in Canada or Mexico. It works both ways. In Canada it is illegal to mutilate any coin, base metal or precious metal. You may be familiar with elongated pennies with some sort of topical design on them. The machines that make them are found in arcades or local fairs and exhibitions. The Canadian producers therefore use American pennies to make the elongated coins.

[fansubs_ca]

Originally Posted by akak

I have it on good authority that by simply taking them to -20 or -30 F, the silver center can be popped out with a hammer

Same as the fad of breaking apart "twonies" (nickname for Canada's $2 coin)
when they first came out, seems to be a common issue with bi-metalic coins.
The 2 metals expand and contract at different rates. Of course Canada is
more prone than Mexico to experience those temperatures outdoors naturally,
so it's more likely to occur by accident here. Since you are in Alaska can I
assume you accidentally dropped one on a cold day? ^_-