SIR: I read with interest the article regarding Ronald Hulse's 'magnetic pennies'.

A few years ago I quite by chance placed a magnet near some new copper coins and found them non magnetic. I don't know the exact year when non-magnetic true copper coins were discontinued, but coins made in 1990 are non magnetic and those made in 1993 onwards are.

Obviously Mr Hulse's pennies were fairly new ones and his concerns about them being forgeries were unfounded. As John E Myatt stated, modern copper coins are plated as I had formerly concluded, 'silver' coins are still non-magnetic although silver ceased to be used in coins as far back as 1947.

The mint has cut the cost of coinage again with the introduction of the smaller 5p and 10p coins, benefiting them - and us?

B Howarth

Alexandria Drive, Westhoughtont

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