Congress is going after the nickel

WALLE · October 7, 2026 3:56PM

Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Congress is taking steps to potentially eliminate the nickel after successfully phasing out the penny. The recently passed Common Cents Act aims to address the rising production costs of the nickel, which currently exceeds its face value.
Yahoo

Congressional Actions on the Nickel
Recent legislative developments are focusing on the future of the nickel.

Production Costs — The nickel costs approximately $0.1378 to produce, prompting Congress to seek cheaper alternatives.
Common Cents Act — This act prohibits the minting of new pennies and directs the Treasury to explore lower-cost nickel production.

Historical Context — The nickel's composition has changed over time, including during WWII when alternative alloys were used.
Future Considerations — With the penny eliminated, Congress is considering whether to continue minting the nickel in its current form.

lkenefic · October 7, 2026 4:00PM

Hmmm... Zinckles? Something made out of Aluminum? Vending machine owners might pitch a fit if they can't be used in current machines...

MsMorrisine · October 7, 2026 4:06PM

if people carried spare dimes and quarters we could still pricein nickels

0.05 - pay with a quarter and get 2 dimes back
so forth

braddick · October 7, 2026 4:13PM

Congress has a point. When was the last time you received a nickel in change?

JBK · October 7, 2026 4:16PM

I just saw Treasury Secretary Bessent on TV say that they are looking to change the composition of the nickel (not eliminate it).

MasonG · October 7, 2026 4:16PM

Today.

But I expected I would be getting it based on how I paid.

element159 · October 7, 2026 4:17PM

@braddick said:
Congress has a point. When was the last time you received a nickel in change?

Today! And it was even the 250-year version.

Alpha2814 · October 7, 2026 4:27PM

Existing thread with links: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/14164078

Acarroll · October 7, 2026 4:51PM

It takes 34 cents to equal the purchasing power a cent had in 1913, i say just get rid of the nickel, maybe even the dime. Start making $5 and $10 circulation coins and eliminate the corresponding bills. If we're going to inflate away the value of the dollar, let's really lean into it.

cameonut2011 · October 7, 2026 5:00PM

@Acarroll said:

It takes 34 cents to equal the purchasing power a cent had in 1913, i say just get rid of the nickel, maybe even the dime. Start making $5 and $10 circulation coins and eliminate the corresponding bills. If we're going to inflate away the value of the dollar, let's really lean into it.

Why not go full Weimar and strike multiple $250 billion face value coins and pay off the national debt? That sounds like something Secretary Bessent and his loose statutory interpretation principles could get behind.

cameonut2011 · October 7, 2026 5:03PM

I would like to know whether the Mint is making trial strikes on different metals. It would be interesting to see some of them leak out.

MsMorrisine · October 7, 2026 5:09PM

the mint does strike trials. they have struck trials of cents. a version of the cent with martha washington was made. there are many extant.

Mr Lindy · October 7, 2026 5:18PM

Maybe just delete all coins except the golden dollars. Round everything to a buck. Was at postoffice today and they offered to round me up to $14 on $13.90 letter priority. Used credit card so I got to be billed $13.90. No rounding required.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 7, 2026 5:37PM

No more hobo nickels. Now if we could just get rid of the hobos.

cinque1543 · October 7, 2026 6:28PM

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

cameonut2011 · October 7, 2026 6:34PM

@cinque1543 said:

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

Make high grade plastic notes resistant to wear and breakage and go to issuing notes. Abolish the Mint all together and voila you would save millions of dollars.

Unknown · October 7, 2026 6:48PM

This content has been removed.

cameonut2011 · October 7, 2026 6:51PM

@jmlanzaf said:
...

I’m not okay with loose statutory principles even if it is something I want. The Rule of Law is important to me.

mach19 · October 7, 2026 6:51PM

I'm still in favor of going back to a half Dime .... in clad !

cameonut2011 · October 7, 2026 6:52PM

@mach19 said:
I'm still in favor of going back to a half Dime ( dimse )..... in clad !

But we should bring back the capped bust design.

renomedphys · October 7, 2026 6:56PM

Maybe they could make them out of wood. Actually, strike that. Have you been to a lumberyard lately? 🤑

The_Dinosaur_Man · October 7, 2026 8:05PM

The nickel should have been canceled in 1873. It was a measure to spur the economy during Reconstruction and that should have been it.

pruebas · October 7, 2026 8:58PM

@lkenefic said:
Hmmm... Zinckles? Something made out of Aluminum? Vending machine owners might pitch a fit if they can't be used in current machines...

Who uses nickels in vending machines anyway?

Heck, who still uses coins in vending machines?

blitzdude · October 7, 2026 11:42PM

They should just get rid of all the coinage and round everything up to the nearest dollar. Who needs coins when we are $40.25T in the hole? And what happened with them Doge coins folks? Weren't they supposed to fix this mess? lol RGDS!

DesertCoin · October 9, 2026 9:27PM

@cameonut2011 said:

@cinque1543 said:

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

Make high grade plastic notes resistant to wear and breakage and go to issuing notes. Abolish the Mint all together and voila you would save millions of dollars.

Actually, the mint is the only department of the entire government that turns a net profit at the end of each year.

lermish · October 9, 2026 9:32PM

@DesertCoin said:

@cameonut2011 said:

@cinque1543 said:

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

Make high grade plastic notes resistant to wear and breakage and go to issuing notes. Abolish the Mint all together and voila you would save millions of dollars.

Actually, the mint is the only department of the entire government that turns a net profit at the end of each year.

Government departments are not businesses, they provide services. They should operate as efficiently as possible but they are not designed to "turn a profit".

And if they were... you're forgetting the IRS which collects ~$3.5 trillion in gross "revenue" every year.

DesertCoin · October 9, 2026 9:58PM

@lermish said:

@DesertCoin said:

@cameonut2011 said:

@cinque1543 said:

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

Make high grade plastic notes resistant to wear and breakage and go to issuing notes. Abolish the Mint all together and voila you would save millions of dollars.

Actually, the mint is the only department of the entire government that turns a net profit at the end of each year.

Government departments are not businesses, they provide services. They should operate as efficiently as possible but they are not designed to "turn a profit".

And if they were... you're forgetting the IRS which collects ~$3.5 trillion in gross "revenue" every year.

Well, which do you prefer? The profits from the mint or the profits from the IRS? If they're going to spend money they have to replace it.

lermish · October 9, 2026 10:11PM

@DesertCoin said:

@lermish said:

@DesertCoin said:

@cameonut2011 said:

@cinque1543 said:

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

Make high grade plastic notes resistant to wear and breakage and go to issuing notes. Abolish the Mint all together and voila you would save millions of dollars.

Actually, the mint is the only department of the entire government that turns a net profit at the end of each year.

Government departments are not businesses, they provide services. They should operate as efficiently as possible but they are not designed to "turn a profit".

And if they were... you're forgetting the IRS which collects ~$3.5 trillion in gross "revenue" every year.

Well, which do you prefer? The profits from the mint or the profits from the IRS? If they're going to spend money they have to replace it.

I don't consider either to be profits, just like I don't consider the US Military's annual $1 trillion budget to be a loss.

The government exists to provide services to citizens and society as a whole. It does some things well and some poorly, some efficiently and some extremely inefficiently.

Our money should be used efficiently and be accounted for but our tax dollars are an investment in society, not a business with a profit motive. How many dollars are taken in taxes and what they are used for is up for debate (not here lol) and voting.

But the premise that any department of the government should turn a profit is faulty and an illogical mindset.

ms71 · October 10, 2026 5:23AM

@pruebas said:

@lkenefic said:
Hmmm... Zinckles? Something made out of Aluminum? Vending machine owners might pitch a fit if they can't be used in current machines...

Who uses nickels in vending machines anyway?

Heck, who still uses coins in vending machines?

I hadn't thought about that. I haven't used a coin in a vending machine since they took the machines out of post office lobbies years ago.

lkenefic · October 10, 2026 10:36AM

@ms71 said:

@pruebas said:

@lkenefic said:
Hmmm... Zinckles? Something made out of Aluminum? Vending machine owners might pitch a fit if they can't be used in current machines...

Who uses nickels in vending machines anyway?

Heck, who still uses coins in vending machines?

I hadn't thought about that. I haven't used a coin in a vending machine since they took the machines out of post office lobbies years ago.

Perhaps college campuses might be a last holdout? I've got vending machines in the Student Union and in some lobbies of older buildings... they also accept paper dollars ($1's and $5's). Newer machines also accept student's ID cards and debit cards...

Alpha2814 · October 10, 2026 12:15PM

@pruebas said:
Who uses nickels in vending machines anyway?

Heck, who still uses coins in vending machines?

[Raises hand, but for parking meters]

pruebas · October 10, 2026 12:22PM

@Alpha2814 said:

@pruebas said:
Who uses nickels in vending machines anyway?

Heck, who still uses coins in vending machines?

[Raises hand, but for parking meters]

Not where I live, but OK.

It’s almost impossible to live without a smartphone these days. Maybe this is another push in that direction? Ugh.

Onastone · October 10, 2026 3:27PM

Do away with cash. Only make collector coins/notes. Everything is going electronic anyway. I saw a soda machine that had you scanning your card or phone for purchase. Sure, us old timers will say, "No, it can't be done. We need cash and change." The new generation will be all about scanning and will embrace a cashless society.

MasonG · October 10, 2026 3:34PM

Cash can be used without the involvement and surveillance (and ultimately, permission) of others. Be careful what you wish for.

breakdown · October 10, 2026 5:31PM

@DesertCoin said:

Actually, the mint is the only department of the entire government that turns a net profit at the end of each year.

I agree with lermish but it is also true that the US Patent Office most years takes in more revenue than it spends. So if the Mint claims it is the only agency that generates excess revenue, it should check its facts.

DesertCoin · October 11, 2026 6:46PM

@lermish said:

@DesertCoin said:

@lermish said:

@DesertCoin said:

@cameonut2011 said:

@cinque1543 said:

@WALLE said:
Fox news has stated that congress will be looking at ending the nickel.

Twenty-somethings use very few coins (or currency). The generation that follows them likely will use even fewer. I know nothing about the above story, but I’m ok if Congress is looking for bipartisan ways to save money.

Make high grade plastic notes resistant to wear and breakage and go to issuing notes. Abolish the Mint all together and voila you would save millions of dollars.

Actually, the mint is the only department of the entire government that turns a net profit at the end of each year.

Government departments are not businesses, they provide services. They should operate as efficiently as possible but they are not designed to "turn a profit".

And if they were... you're forgetting the IRS which collects ~$3.5 trillion in gross "revenue" every year.

Well, which do you prefer? The profits from the mint or the profits from the IRS? If they're going to spend money they have to replace it.

I don't consider either to be profits, just like I don't consider the US Military's annual $1 trillion budget to be a loss.

The government exists to provide services to citizens and society as a whole. It does some things well and some poorly, some efficiently and some extremely inefficiently.

Our money should be used efficiently and be accounted for but our tax dollars are an investment in society, not a business with a profit motive. How many dollars are taken in taxes and what they are used for is up for debate (not here lol) and voting.

But the premise that any department of the government should turn a profit is faulty and an illogical mindset.

Reality is that the government has accumulated a very large deficit of debt that ultimately must be repaid. They have limited sources of income, mostly their own citizenry. Taxes are involuntary, the mint sales are voluntary and seigniorage comes at no person's direct expense. Other agencies like the Patent Office are driven by voluntary economic growth and productivity. I would counter that the government is, in fact, in dire need of being run like a business, alongside performing it's duties to it's citizens. Without a business mindset (one of turning a net profit and remaining solvent), the government will certainly bankrupt itself (along with all the citizens dependent on its currency) and will thenceforth be unable to perform its duties at all. In an ideal world this would not be necessary, but this is far from an ideal world.

DesertCoin · October 11, 2026 6:47PM

@MasonG said:
Cash can be used without the involvement and surveillance (and ultimately, permission) of others. Be careful what you wish for.

Wise words.

Aotearoa · October 11, 2026 9:45PM

I’ve not carried or spent cash in NZ for several years. The only reason I can think of for that not being a glimpse of the future for the US, is the US tipping culture (which NZ does not have).

MsMorrisine · October 12, 2026 7:53AM

tipping is electronic now too

MsMorrisine · October 12, 2026 7:53AM

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/why-sweden-is-abandoning-its-cashless-society/ar-AA2dZzy8

MasonG · October 12, 2026 8:31AM

Rhetorical question: Supposing, for the sake of argument, there are people who would like to monitor and control how you spend your money- do you think they'll tell you that's why they want a cashless economy or will they give you other reasons?

privatecoin · October 12, 2026 8:45AM

@braddick said:
Congress has a point. When was the last time you received a nickel in change?

Yesterday

privatecoin · October 12, 2026 8:47AM

Bring back the half dime. Fraction of the amount of metal and can be a different composition. But we know they aim to increase inflation, so yeah might as well eliminate the dime too.

BuffaloIronTail · October 12, 2026 9:20AM

@TwoSides2aCoin said:
No more hobo nickels. Now if we could just get rid of the hobos.

You got it wrong. A Hobo is a person who travels (mostly by train) to find work or odd jobs. They live their life mostly on the road enjoying the wanderlust and adventure life brings them. They have morals.

Now, if you are gonna talk about worthless people, you would be talking about a BUM. They shy away from work and constantly look for free handouts

A Hobo is NOT a Bum. Let's get rid of the Bums in this world!

Pete

JBK · October 12, 2026 10:01AM

@BuffaloIronTail said:

@TwoSides2aCoin said:
No more hobo nickels. Now if we could just get rid of the hobos.

You got it wrong. A Hobo is a person who travels (mostly by train) to find work or odd jobs. They live their life mostly on the road enjoying the wanderlust and adventure life brings them. They have morals.

It sounds like fun, until nature calls. What do they do when they need a bathroom? 🤔

That's an "adventure" I wouldn't be looking forward to. 😐

Aotearoa · October 12, 2026 10:15AM

@MsMorrisine said:
tipping is electronic now too

Bellboys? Valet car parkers?

stawick · October 12, 2026 10:25AM

@JBK said:

@BuffaloIronTail said:

@TwoSides2aCoin said:
No more hobo nickels. Now if we could just get rid of the hobos.

You got it wrong. A Hobo is a person who travels (mostly by train) to find work or odd jobs. They live their life mostly on the road enjoying the wanderlust and adventure life brings them. They have morals.

It sounds like fun, until nature calls. What do they do when they need a bathroom? 🤔

That's an "adventure" I wouldn't be looking forward to. 😐

As every dog ... and golfer knows ... all the worlds a bathroom. ewe!

johnny9434 · October 12, 2026 10:29AM

@MasonG said:
Rhetorical question: Supposing, for the sake of argument, there are people who would like to monitor and control how you spend your money- do you think they'll tell you that's why they want a cashless economy or will they give you other reasons?

Better control on things 😖

logger7 · October 12, 2026 10:50AM

I was at a thrift shop in town buying a shirt for a buck plus the sales tax. I did not have small change; the lady behind the register asked others if they had a nickel, and sure enough someone did.

HATTRICK · October 12, 2026 11:51AM

The first 2026 coin I saw in circulation was a nickle I got in change at the Mexican restaurant on Saturday.

MsMorrisine · October 12, 2026 12:05PM

@Aotearoa said:

@MsMorrisine said:
tipping is electronic now too

Bellboys? Valet car parkers?

good question as i've not used either

Congress is going after the nickel

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