[center]<br><br><b>Encased Irradiated Dime</b><br><br><img border="0" src="http://www.stujoe.com/images/exo/encaseddime.jpg" width="300" height="303"><br><b>Image from The Stujoe Collection</b><br><br>[/center] Above is an example of an encased coin. This dime is also an 'Irradiated' dime souvenir from the American Museum of Atomic Energy. Visitors could get one of their dimes exposed to a radiation source and then placed in a special holder for the visitor. I think these were made during the 50ies and 60ies in the days when radiation was somewhat of a novelty.<br><br> Don't worry, the coin is harmless in its current state. Within a few minutes of being irradiated, the amount of radiation left was not detectable except maybe by a very sensitive instrument. Today, items like this are inexpensive and easy to find. I think it makes for an interesting piece.<br><br>