Nickels

N is for Nickel.

Even Big Ones, and I have seen the Big Nickel in Sudbury, one of those family day car trips to large tourist traps. Despite motion sickness, I loved those outings, a chance to run around and see new stuff, as well as the particularly pleasant sleep - lying down on the back seat, or leaning against an older brother, as the night rolled me back home.

Often, being a border town, Canadian change leaked through. Nickels and pennies were not a problem, easily passed off. But quarters, even dimes, would incur rejection, at least when the Canadian dollar was down from the American one. And they never worked in any coin-op machines.

Never liked nickels, clunky and ugly metal slugs. They have a smell, too. They've done some commemorative ones lately, like for the unique state quarters, but it doesn't help.

Still 5¢ is 5¢.