The metal content value of nickels surged past the face value in 2006, so the law was updated to prevent this very idea: https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-rele

The metal content value of nickels surged past the face value in 2006, so the law was updated to prevent this very idea: https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/20061214-united-states-mint-moves-to-limit-exportation-melting-of-coins https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/20061214-united-s... https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/04/16/E7-7088/prohibition-on-the-exportation-melting-or-treatment-of-5-cent-and-one-cent-coins https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/04/16/E7-7088... https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-82 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-I/p... Pursuant to this authority, the Secretary of the Treasury has determined that, to protect the coinage of the United States, it is necessary to generally prohibit the exportation, melting, or treatment of 5-cent and one-cent coins minted and issued by the United States. The Secretary has made this determination because the values of the metal contents of 5-cent and one-cent coins are in excess of their respective face values, raising the likelihood that these coins will be the subject of recycling and speculation.