Early experiment in paying with plastic coins

sir – The Government has had to retreat on plans to withdraw copper coins from circulation (report, March 17).

During the early Fifties, I spent some time in the RAF stationed in Egypt. The Naafi (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) provided plastic coins in 1, 2 and 5 piastre denominations. There were

100 piastres to an Egyptian pound, which was then equivalent to the UK pound.

Although they were intended for use in camp, the Egyptians would accept them in shops and cafés.

Perhaps the Treasury should consider issuing similar coins – they would match the existing £5 and £10 plastic bank notes in tastelessness. Peter Ash

South Molton, Devon

sir – I’m amazed that William Pease (Letters, March 19) counts out the contents of charity collecting tins.

When I took on this task, I invested in digital kitchen scales. Having made a list of the weights (£1 of copper

= 356 grams), the job takes only a few minutes. One quickly learns to judge roughly how many of each denomination to put on the scales or remove as necessary. Robin Higgins

Barnoldswick, Lancashire