How about switching the sizes of the nickel and the dime. I mean, a nickel has about 9 cents worth of metal in it, so it'd be perfect for a dime. Plus I never understood why a nickel is bigger then a dime, since it's worth less. Or using something besides nickel in a nickel, since nickel is $22 / lb and zinc is only $1.6 / lb
It's a federal crime to do "coin arbitrage" versus scrap metal. Banks won't give you truck loads of pennies in exchange for cash.
Patience patience,the gummermint is in process of doing away with all forms of currency be it paper or metal. Give it enough time for all retail etc........ to accept only the debit card even for nickel purchases. Hence another piece of the big brother scenario will be sewn.