[BrianR]

Here's what I never understood. Why MUST coins be made of odd metal alloys? Why can't they just be made from, say, aluminum, or steel for durability? They are only tokens with a given face value anyway. Now with the "new" pennies, they aren't even worth their weight in silver or copper.

Pretty soon, cash will be a forgotten relic anyway, IMO. The government will go to a cashless system so they can track all monies spent and where for what they will claim is tax purposes but will really be an attack on drug profits and citizens who for whatever reason choose to fly beneath the radar.