Coin in disk drive - how to get it out?

You need a putty knife to pry the case apart.

Buy yourself a new putty knife, one that has a flexible blade. Follow page 1 and 2 of these directions: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 or follow this video: http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macmini06-08/ . Separate the case enough for the coin to fall out, push it back together, and you should be all set.

It sounds like the coin is in the Superdrive, so taking the mini apart will not help as you cannot take apart the Superdrive (you can, however, replace the Superdrive)

See if gravity can assist. Unplug everything and while holding the mini with the slot facing down, shake.

If this does not help, and you decide that you need to replace the Superdrive, instructions are at: http://www.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide1065en.pdf

These instructions tell you how to pop-open the mini. Maybe without the mini case in the way, the coin will fall out.

If you need a Superdrive, for 2009 and later, the mini uses a SATA Superdrive. You can get one here: http://www.logicsupply.com/products/uj875a

Good luck!

So I guess I solved it, eh? 🙂

I'm assuming you've put in a disc to see if it plays correctly. Your vigorous shaking may have let the coin hit the lens assembly.