Fun Composition Expermiment

[willbrooks]

I have proposed changing the composition of the cent to plastic, rather than decommission it. So far, my idea has been met with derision. My son has these really cool plastic cents, and I have absconded with one. My plan is to artificially "circulate" this coin, along with one or more BU zincolns, subjecting them to the same abuse. Any guesses to which will stand up better? Suggestions as to how to abuse them, and in which order the suggested abuses should occur are welcome. This particular plastic cent is at least 50% thicker than a real one and just a tiny bit bigger in diameter than a normal one. I realize at least some of the implications of that, and am willing to entertain conversation about how that might effect my experiment as compared to a plastic cent of actual mint dimensions. (Not that a new plastic cent really NEEDS to follow the old dimensions...!) Also up for conversation is whether the production of a plastic cent will be significantly cheaper or not. Also up for conversation is whether counterfeiting is an issue, and with a cent, I think it isn't. Lots going on here. Pics of the subject zincolns to follow later, but here is the plastincoln: (Yes, it was surprisingly rotated correctly, although some of the quarters in his set had 180 degree rotation, lol.) Please discuss, and remember, I already had my roast this year.
plasticcent1.jpg

plasticcent2.jpg

[mustbebob]

When I read the title and saw 'Composition", I thought I had to write an essay

There are so many different types of 'plastics' that I am thinking something can be made that might hold up over time. Some foreign coins pretty much feel like plastic now.

As of right now, the cents are mainly used just once and put in a jar anyway, so the chances of them wearing out are pretty slim. The major problem with cents now days is not wear, but corrosion. With plastics, that won't be an issue.

As far as this particular cent Will, I like it, but Lincoln's neck needs a bit of work

[Maineman750]

Just have your family put them in a pocket and exchange them between members every day.....you can drop them in the driveway every now and then.

[ericodapro]

How does it stand up to a blow torch?

[willbrooks]

How does it stand up to a blow torch?

We're going to find out, but I'll have to save that until the end.

[uglycent]

I have actually found five of these in customer wrapped rolls. It makes up for the dimes I guess.

[jallengomez]

In a society of plastic, how will we make elongated cents?

[willbrooks]

In a society of plastic, how will we make elongated cents?

I knew I was forgetting something. My son collects these. Scrap the entire project.

So, right now I am in the "carry them around in my pocket with other change and shake them around with my hand as often as possible" phase. I bet the zincoln sustains much more wear than the plastincoln does.

[DCW]

The US Mint did extensive research during WWII using plastics of various sorts (bakelite, etc.) to find a "new" composition for the cent. It was determined back in 1942 that this was not a viable solution, and they instead went with zinc coated steel. We all know how well that turned out! It's been 70 years and you know what they say: "What's old is new again."
Check out the link below which catalogs some of the test strikes the mint produced. Occasionally, they come up for auction, but are very expensive.

http://uspatterns.com/p2073.html

[jcuve]

I like the idea of plastic. Let's ditch the shield reverse and get a Lego cent thing going on. You can stack them into different amounts and also use them educationally as building blocks.

[VAB2013]

This is a fun experiment for you and your son, but it may be teaching him the wrong lesson. He will probably win with the better looking "less scratched" coin... before the blow torch hits it. Then he will be upset that you melted his winning coin!!!

[ericodapro]

Do we even need physical money in a digital age???

[grizz]

I like the idea of plastic. Let's ditch the shield reverse and get a Lego cent thing going on. You can stack them into different amounts and also use them educationally as building blocks.

...yeah but what do we old timers do for a burned out fuse in our fuse box?

[DCW]

Do we even need physical money in a digital age???

Blasphemy! You should have your LCR membership card revoked for this statement!

[Arjohn]

With some of the plastics available -- they could outlast metal... But -- oil dependency?? However - I know there are many plasics made now not dependent on petroleum...