Viewpoint: Mint three-cent coin to save money

By Wayne Pearson

Rather than abolish the cent, as some would like, saving the cent could be as easy as 1-2-3. A Trime. Consider if we issued a three-cent piece. For every 100 one-cent coins, we could issue 16 trimes (48 cents) and 52 one-cent coins. That is a total of 68 coins. Already we have a savings of raw materials for 32 coins per 100 one-cent coins currently being made.

Multiply this by the billions made, and that is a lot of savings.

For identification, the coin would be smaller than a dime at 16.5 mm, thicker, and like the Philippines 5-sentimos coin, which has a hole in the center. The edge, rather than being smooth, could have a line in the center like the EU two-euro cent coins. In receiving change, instead of four cent coins when your change is four cents, you would receive a trime and a cent. Change of nine cents would be the same plus a nickel. The materials used would be the same as the current one-cent coin.

At any time if we should experience a shortage of one-cent coins – DOUBTFUL – we could make 15 trimes instead of 16, allowing for an additional three one-cent coins per hundred.

Multiply this by the billions made and we will be fine.

This “Viewpoint” was written by Wayne Pearson of Union City, Ind.

To have your opinion considered for Viewpoint, write to David C. Harper, Editor, Numismatic News, 5225 Joerns Drive, Suite, 2, Stevens Point WI, 54481. Send email to david.harper@fwmedia.com.

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