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A few years ago, a VP at the university I worked for was invited to speak to an elementary class that was studying other countries. The VP had grown up in Canada and I was preparing some maps and graphics for him to illustrate his talk about his country of origin. The idea of giving the kids some sort of "souvenir" came up. I mentioned that I had a stash of Canadian coinage as my son had collected them on trips back to Michigan over the years to visit his grandmother. With my son's cooperation, we supplied him with enough pennies, nickels and dimes to give the kids one of each – and he reported back that his talk and the "hand outs" were a big hit.
Here in MA, we frequently get Canadian cents, nickels, and quarters in change. They really go unnoticed and go right into the change jar with the other change. I roll search (for silver and wheats) and frequently find Canadian coins in the rolls.
However, the change machines won't take them back, so I'm stuck with them. Over the years, I probably have $30-40 worth of Canadian coins in a jar.
Here in MA, we frequently get Canadian cents, nickels, and quarters in change. They really go unnoticed and go right into the change jar with the other change. I roll search (for silver and wheats) and frequently find Canadian coins in the rolls.
How often do you find neat stuff? I've never done roll searches, the few times I asked about $.50 pieces they always just had mint rolls. The last time I found silver in the wild was a '64 quarter at a Taco Bell about ten years ago.
I have been saving all pre-'82 pennies for some time. Rarely find wheats.
I have a coffee cup with a small handful of Canadian change. Most interesting thing I found was a Swedish kroner
Canadian pennies used to occasionally circulate in the NYC area. Just as the US made coins from alternative metals during World War II (e.g. steel cents in 1943, spent ammo shells were melted down for cents in 1944-45, a silver alloy was used for nickels 1942-45), Canada also used some alternative metals such as a cheap alloy called tombac.
I saw a photo somewhere of someone who tiled their kitchen floor with them. Just do a web search for "pennies floor tile" and there are many examples. Like mosaics, but copper coloured. Quite beautiful. And not very expensive, if you have the patience for it.
US or Canadian, I usually throw pennies away. They are more of a hassle than value. Carry them around in your pocket and the will eventually wear a hole through the fabric. Store all your pennies in a jar someplace and in fifteen years you will have a whopping $7 (which will be worth about $1.50 in today's money. I keep quarters, usually only one quarter and dimes, but I rarely have dimes. Nickles and pennies, I toss, or give away. Most stores have a take a penny leave a penny tray on the counter. Nickles go in those too.
Frankly I think they should figure out a way to round everything up and just take the pennies and nickles for taxes. No one will care and they could probably make enough to fix the roads or buy some more missles to shoot at dictators who use gas on people.
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