@ksaj Yes, just plain stooopid to melt a gold coin unless it was already essentially destroyed. Ratty old silver dimes, on the other hand? about $1.15 face value per ounce, currently fetching ~$36 per ounce on the metals market; perhaps a third of that at scrap dealers.

Fun fact: a Jefferson "nickel" is 75% copper and 25% nickel.

@ksaj The coin police will tell you that modifying currency or coins for artistic or entertainment purposes is permitted; but melting down pennies (or gold or silver coins) to sell at bullion value is still verboten. The alterations you describe are considered entertainment; I mean, when's the last time a magician held up a coin shell and didn't say, "See, it's an ordinary quarter"?

here's the fed's law-speak on the topic (pour a fresh cup of coffee before reading):

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-82