Cheers Bigears!
Coins set off the metal detector. Of course it depends on how many coins and how high they've turned up the sensitivity on the damn machine (seems to vary from airport to airport).
It's just easier to send all your coins and other metallic objects (pens, ID badge clips, watches, etc) through the x-ray with your coat.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending the absurdity of some security procedures. In fact what I despise most is the reactionary nature of the procedures:
Flights hijacked with guns; x-ray/metal detector
Flights hijacked with box cutters; no sharp objects allowed.
Attempted inflight detonation; shoe removal.
I shudder at the next possible hijack attempt. Will the weapon/explosive be hidden in a huge afro/beehive style hair-doo? What about those body cavities? I mean if you're intent on blowing yourself up anyway...
ah nevermind.
My point: I wouldn't mind the airport security hassle so much if I really thought they were looking ahead to prevent terrorism. Sadly they're only closing the barn doors after the horses have all run away.