The Problem With the Replacement of Copper Pennies by Aluminum Pennies

The United States Mint may begin producing an aluminum alloy one-cent coin. Aluminum, unlike copper, is not radiodense and an ingested aluminum coin is difficult to distinguish on radiographs. Since children often swallow coins, this is of particular interest to pediatricians. Should the proposed aluminum coin be minted, pediatricians and radiologists will have to exercise special care in assessing children who may have swallowed such a coin.