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The U.S. five cent piece, or "Nickel" is actually only 25% nickel and 75% copper. It weighs exactly 5 grams, so there is 1 1/4 grams of nickel in one. In 2007 the combined value of the nickel and copper in a five cent piece exceeded 9 cents, making it feasable to sell the coins for melt at a profit. Anticipating this, in 2006 the US Mint adopted new "interim rule" regulations making it illegal to melt and export cents and nickels. When Canadian nickels were introduced in 1922, they were made entirely of nickel unlike their American counterpart. Various other compositions have been used since, and currently the Canadian nickel is nickel-plated steel.

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16y ago

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