Wartime composition changes - Korea - other?

StrikeOutXXX

Picked up an old Charlton Canadian Standard Catalog at a yard sale and something caught my eye I figured I'd ask the history buffs (Keep reading this really is about US Coins).

Found it interesting that Canada changed the composition of their nickels, not their cents, during WWII using both tombac as well as steel. Apparently Canada had a shortage of the metal nickel, whereas the U.S. had a shortage of copper. Makes sense to me, but here's the new fact I just found that got me thinking.

Looks like from 1951-1954, Canada changed to steel plated nickels again due to a metal (nickel) shortage needed for the Korean War effort.

Pretty sure just about everybody knows about the steel U.S. pennies from the WWII era, but my question for the history buffs is have we ever been on the brink of changing the composition during any other "events"? (Excluding the 64 silver changeover).

Thanks!

LanLord

Aluminum cents in 1974 due to cost of copper

Cladiator

Not only did the US change the cent in 1943 because of the war but we also changed our nickles from 1942-1945 to a 35% silver composition. We needed the nickel for the war effort too.

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>Not only did the US change the cent in 1943 because of the war but we also changed our nickles from 1942-1945 to a 35% silver composition. We needed the nickel for the war effort too. >>



OK, I blame that one on lack of coffee in AM, I completely overlooked those.