Posted by Smartarse
on Sat 4 Aug 07, 12:57 PM to Smartarse's blog.
I just dropped my magnetic screwdriver on a pile of loose change. When I went to pick it up, half the coins came with it. This surprised me, somewhat.
Now, call me old fashioned, but I thought coins were supposed to be made from something a bit more precious than a ferrous metal. I thought coins were supposed to have some intrinsic value. In fact I thought that's what the word had been invented for.
I honestly don't expect silver to be made of real silver. But I do expect coppers to have at least enough copper in them to stop them being magnetic.
A quick inspection of the dates suggests that the change (no pun intended) came in the last ten years. So did Gordon Brown sanction the cheapening of our coppers?
I'm now wondering what michief I can get up to by magnetising some 2p pieces and then using them in a vending machine. Ah but vending machines don't take coppers these days...
Still there's always the sea-side and the 'penny falls' machines. One extra large neodymium magnet and I could make a small fortune.
But here's an activity for the school holidays.. find out which of your loose coins are magnetic and what was the earliest date. Then think up a really cool magic trick you can do using a magnetic coin and concealed magnet. Then write a letter to the Bank of England complaining they've diddled you, draw a picture of the Governor and colour it in with crayons.
| 4 Aug 07, 6:37 PM simonelibra UK, 5 yrs  |
I gave your suggestions to my bored nephews but they replied "shingles oh whatever" followed by "have you got a pound coin please"
Do not follow the path, go where there is no path to begin the trail - Ashanti Proverb |
