Coin size reduction

[Splock]

If you look at the New Zealand example their change in coinage was cost neutral due to the change in composition. The profit they made from selling the cupronickel collected from the old coinage offset the production costs of the new. Cost is not necessarily a blocker to changing Australia's circulating coinage.

[nealeffendi]

If you look at the New Zealand example their change in coinage was cost neutral due to the change in composition. The profit they made from selling the cupronickel collected from the old coinage offset the production costs of the new. Cost is not necessarily a blocker to changing Australia's circulating coinage.

Yes, the Mint and the GOVERNMENT made the profits on the scap metal. The costs however were borne by the companies that owned the vending machines. Think of the frachisee who operates a few hundred vending machines, every machine needed to be re-jigged and recalibrated to accept the new coins. Could cost them more than a years profit.

[Fulvio]

...every machine needed to be re-jigged and recalibrated to accept the new coins.

Well, it does depend on whether they have electronic or mechanical coin mechanisms, but yeah, the cost runs from travel and time through to a complete new mech, though that presents the opportunity to update to an electronic one. Not an inconsiderable burden, for sure.