Coin Melters Busted

As the price of a series of base metal (and precious metal) have gone up, so has also the theoretical melt value of many coins. Well precious metal coins typically do not sell below the melt value. However standard coins in circulation can typically be bought at face value.

I say theoretical melt value, because in many(most?) countries it is illegal to melt coins. But clearly some people got more than tempted to buy coins at their face value and then melt the coins to sell them for the metal value.

"January 8: NEW DELHI: The special cell of Delhi Police, on Friday, claimed to have busted two illegal factories involved in melting old Indian coins and converting them to metal slabs for sale..."

Coin melting units busted, 5 arrested

US 1 cent copper coins in circulation (minted between 1909 to 1982) now have a metal value of 280% of their face value. Please do not melt coins, but as collector items they could be interesting.

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