U.S. Dollar Coin?
By Ciniful
@Ciniful (1587)
Canada
February 26, 2007 1:55am CST
So, for the third time in 30 years, the US is trying out the idea of a $1 coin.
The government created the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin in 1979, but people said they couldn't tell it apart from the quarter. It failed. The government tried again in 1999 with the Sacagawea dollar coin. A wiser mint cast that one in the colour of gold so it wouldn't be confused with the silver quarter.
Both of those went the way of the collector, instead of the practical use they were intended for.
The mint put a new presidential series of $1 coins into circulation Thursday. The new series will feature a U.S. president on the head and the Statue of Liberty on the tail.
I'm Canadian, we've had our one dollar coins (loonies) for years, and have just grown accustomed to them. Sure, it was annoying at first, dealing with the added change ... but we got used to it pretty fast. We even grew accustomed to the twoonie, our $2 coin ... even though we get rather annoyed with carrying so much change on a regular basis. (sigh)
So is this coin going to be just another collectors item, or do you think it might catch on this time in the US? What do you think Americans ... can you give up your dollar bills for dollar coins this time around?
3 people like this
5 responses
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
26 Feb 07
I really don't think it will take off either. The only way that I see it working at all is to simultaneously get rid of the one dollar bill and go to the coin. People really don't like change ( as in life changes) and hate to carry around a pocket full of coins or a purse full. I can always tell when I need to empty my purse because it hurts my shoulder after 3 or 4 dollars worth being dumped to the bottom. When at the store I always have a purse full of change but never dig it out, I hate for the person in line behind me to have to wait while I count out exact change and since I don't know what it will cost prior to getting there that is what he/she would have to do. So I rarely spend my coins, nor my bf we usually dump it in a large water jar. I think that it will end up another collector coins as all the rest have. Just my 2 cents worth, no pun intended. :)
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
26 Feb 07
It is hard to tell, I know that personally, I didn't like the dollar coins, just to much bulk to carry around. I guess I could get use to it if it were my only option, but for now, I prefer paper bills
2 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
2 Mar 07
I have my highest doubts Americans are going to go for it again. I have to confess though.. I love it in Canada when I go there because I have an American way of thinking and toss the loonies and toonies in my purse bottom. At the end of our visit I have a purse that weighs about a million tons and am richer then I even imagined all because I think of them as "coins". So of course... instead of trading them back for US funds, I have to stop at the store and buy a bunch of stuff to use them up! LOL
@cristlegirl (817)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Personally I think its a great idea, and if you weigh the pros and the cons it really works in the peoples favor.
why? Well one coins are much much much harder to counterfit. two it would save the u.s millions in printing cost.
I guess I just see it as money that could be used elsewhere, such as health insurance, or in our schools.
1 person likes this
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
27 Feb 07
Interesting viewpoint, and something I hadn't thought of, although of course you're right. I don't know, we complained like crazy when they gave us coins instead of bills, but we got used to it .... it's normal now, and it does clear up some room in the billfold area of my wallet, lol. Plus making the tooth fairy visits a little easier, not having to dry out dollar bills, lol.
Thanks for the response. :)
1 person likes this
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
1 Mar 07
This is nice if you use postal machines after hours; before they had the $1.00 coin, if you put in five dollars to get a few stamps you got everything back in quarters. Now you can get the dollar coins LOL. I am sure that it's going to really screw with things the first few months that they are out but I can't see why they are making more currency. The coins will last longer than the paper money but it's a lot easier to slip a ten dollar bill in your pocket than then of these one dollar coins.
1 person likes this
