A United States nickel coin has a nominal mass of 5.000 grams, as specified by the United States Mint. This standardized weight is crucial for various purposes, including vending machine operation, coin counting mechanisms, and ensuring the integrity of the currency. Using a properly calibrated scale will confirm this weight.
Precise and consistent coin weight is essential for maintaining the integrity of a currency system. Historically, coin weight was directly related to the value of the metal it contained. While this is no longer the case for the nickel, which is composed of a copper-nickel alloy, the standardized weight remains important for modern commerce and numismatics. Accurate weight facilitates automated counting and sorting, prevents counterfeiting, and allows collectors to authenticate specimens.