Crossword Genius

Moving spades, detect components of nickel (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cents

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'components of nickel' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'moving spades detect' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'spades' could be 's' (abbreviation in card games) and 's' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'cent' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cents that I've seen before include "Hundredths of dollar" , "Fractions of dollar" , "American coins" , "US money, e.g." , "money abroad" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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