Reducing coin size to save on metal

Mexico, following the lead of several countries around the world, has planned to reduce the size of the coins and using cheaper materials to keep cost low amid the financial crisis and volatile metal costs. On Thursday, the Mexican Senate approved President Felipe Calderon's bill to modify the country's coinage. This plan awaits approval from the lower house of Congress. The Congress will vote on this issue in February, 2009.
Enrique Lobato, director of cash programming for Mexico's central bank said 'We're being hit hard economically, so we're looking to spend more efficiently'. Many other countries have done the same to cut costs in their moneymaking.