劣幣驅逐良幣

Sharply rising prices of metals such as copper and nickel have meant the face value of pennies and nickels are worth less than the material that they are made of, increasing the risk that speculators could melt the coins and sell them for a profit.

因為美國金屬價格急據上升，現在造成一個問題，硬幣的面額小於硬幣金屬本身的價格。這會發生有心人士會鑄融掉硬幣然後賣掉，嚴重影響市面上流通的貨幣數量。此行為稱為劣幣驅逐良幣。