U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas wants to replace the nickel with the original 5 cent coin! Lucas has introduced House Resolution 6942 that would end the nickel and return to a half dime. The half-dime is smaller than the nickel, requires less medal, and would save the U.S. government fortunes says Lucas.

Says Lucas: “Fiscal irresponsibility seems to go hand-in-hand with the federal government. It’s time that we to find ways to decrease the amount of taxpayer money we spend each year. At a cost of 9.5 cents to produce and ship, there is a $58.5 million loss passed on to the taxpayers each year.

“This is one more example of irresponsible spending by the federal government and one more reason why our national deficit has risen to over $9 trillion. It costs the federal government almost twice as much to make the nickel as it is worth, and we cannot continue to spend that money.”

The half-dime created in 1792 was replaced with today’s nickel 5 cent piece in 1873.