Dollar bills or coins?
The debate has gone on for years. Should the US discontinue one-dollar bills and use dollar coins?
Small size dollar coins were minted in 1979. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was not used and was much maligned. It resembled a quarter and was unattractive. At the time, I saw signs encouraging people to use dollar coins, especially on public transportation, but no go.
Sacagawea dollars were minted in 2000. These coins were much nicer in appearance. But they were not used in circulation.
Then came the Presidential dollars in 2007. A nice set to build. But again, not used in everyday life.
Many other countries stopped making one-dollar, one-pound notes, and it's worked. I spent some time in Canada years ago. Getting used to dollar and two-dollar coins was no problem at all. The coins didn't weigh heavy in my purse, a common criticism. I liked using them, not just because I like coins.
A dollar bill lasts about 18 months. A coin can last for many years.
People are so used to dollar bills and seem loath to give them up. Dollar coins have not circulated here. After all these years, I just don't see use of dollar coins becoming possible in the US. I'd like to see this happen, but I doubt it ever will.
Comments
user_9073
Level 5
I collect what the US Mint and the BEP make. They don't make it so I can collect it. That is my way of saying that I don't care if the cent is eliminated of the dollar is paper or metal. To me that is a decision for elected representatives to make. And there decision should be make on issues other than what collectors want.
Conan Barbarian
Level 5
well Europe and the euro figured out their coinage pretty well. i (in my own opinion) like coins much better than bills but they can weigh down a load
CoinLady
Level 6
This is what a blog is supposed to do...encourage different opinions & viewpoints. Thanks for all the input!
Mike
Level 7
First of all people can live were ever they like. I was born in Ireland and choose to live it this great country. If the govermint has the capability to listen to billions of calls an computers good for them . In my life I have received one parking ticket that's it. If big brother is listening to three hundred million phones I wouldn't want to be the to listen. If you think that is possible then you believe that. Second if they are listening it's not the honest people there listening to. It's terrorist and people who break the law. Your actually talking science fiction if you think they can monitor the whole country on a daily bassis. But once you deal without cash then you can be monitored. And tracked. Welcome to a socialist country. There's nothing wrong leave it alone. By the way we have new parking machines here. I sent my wife down to put in dollar coins. They didn't work. Sorry. That alone would cost millions and millions to make adjustments. If you think it's so great elsewhere what's keeping you here? You don't want to live in Switzerland or France? And I don't believe they can listen or watch every single American 24 hours a day. Sci-Fi. Then can listen to whom they want but I think anyone who is innocent has nothing to worry about.
Mike
Level 7
Sorry to here that. Members of my family have relocated to other countries. I could live in England. I have family who live in both north and south of Ireland. The north owned by the British. I am not familiar with the immigration laws of other countries. So because your not rich you can't live there that's terrible. It shouldn't be that way. And yes we are the only pasties. I have a friend in the State Department I will call and find out what there rules are. That's so sad it's actually beautiful there. Again it's just not right. They can relocate here but we can't go there. It's a shame. Mike. Listen I can't keep going back and forth like this I've been following you. If y o u wish to continue such conversations just follow me. There's no reason anyone should know our family's business. Take care.
VKurtB
Level 4
And people can't live wherever they like, Mike. My ex-wife would DESPERATELY like to retire in England, but she can't. Their rules prevent Americans, except for the extremely rich or those with unique talents the U'K' wants, from immigrating. She went for three months and was then forced to leave. We, the U.S., are the only world patsies.
VKurtB
Level 4
That's about the most short-sighted thing I think I may have ever read. They don't have to, and they don't, listen to every call. Your phone tracks everywhere you ever take it, and records who you spoke to, when, and from where. They can get your data AFTER THE FACT. They don't even need a subpoena any more. They just ask for the data and they get it. All they need to "decide" you're a "person of interest" and turn on your "Super Dooper Snooper" is a third or fourth level coincidence. If someone you talked to talked to somebody who talked to somebody else who talked to a possible terrorist, YOU'VE JUST BECOME A TARGET, Mike.
Longstrider
Level 6
WOW!!You struck a nerve here CoinLady. Some strong beliefs. Here's my 2 cents. Sorry for the pun. Couldn't resist. The economic reason to due away with the dollar bill and switch to a dollar coin are there. The numbers on life of either are there. Other countries have done it and survived. Me, I couldn't care less about the other countries coinage, other than collecting some. I like ours because it's different. Other countries used to follow us. I also hate change in my pocket. It's just a place where the coins live until they jump out and I lose them. There it is. My opinion. I could be wrong.
VKurtB
Level 4
There is NO reason to keep the cent, or the dollar note, none whatsoever. There are several major world currencies that have spent considerable time at near par to the U.S. dollar. Let's look at them: 1) Canadian dollar - the cent is gone, coins are 5, 10, 25, 50, $1 and $2. Notes start at $5. 2) Australian dollar - 1 cent and 2 cent gone, coins are 5, 10, 20, 50, $1 and $2. Notes start at $5. 3) Swiss franc - 1c and 2c are gone. 5c is rarely seen but still around. Typical coins are 10c, 20c, 1/2 SFr, 1 SFr, 2Sfr, and 5SFr. Notes start at 10 SFr. Now, tell me why we think our way is smarter, ... PLEASE, .... anyone? Anyone at all? Thought not.
VKurtB
Level 4
By the way, Mike, people by the gazillions are voluntarily putting listening devices on themselves every day. We call these things cellphones. They have microphones. They have cameras. They are remotely operable by any government agency that cares enough to spy on you. The FBI will not protect your privacy, neither will the NSA, neither will EITHER party nor EITHER chamber of the Congress. If you carry a cellphone, you are already under 24/7 surveillance.
VKurtB
Level 4
Really, Mike? Really? You'd rather be here than in Switzerland? I seriously cannot relate to that. I've been to Switzerland. Barely a day passes when I don't think about retiring there. Thing is - I don't qualify. We're the only place stupid enough to open our borders.
Mike
Level 7
Yes I have one I m glad I don't live there. I happy with good old American currency and coinage. Change for the sake of change isn't logical. For every action there is a reaction. And I believe there will be a reaction. Cashless society scares the dickens out of me. Big brother watches everything we do. Now hell know what we eat might as well be a camera in the house. Mike
SpartaCuse
Level 4
Personally, I think we should be using more & more either bills or coinage - If we go to a "cashless" society - so many things can & will go wrong - For 1) no more privacy - Everything tracked - If they want to use a coin great - If they want to use a bill great - Bust lets reduce credit card use & debt, personal & public - The next systemic market crash will be disastrous & it will be the opportunity they look to convert to cashless - See what happened in India
"SUN"
Level 6
I think we should do away with the dollar bill. I actually think it is easier to use coins. You reach in your pocket and grab the coin. With bills you grab your wallet, open it, take out the bill, then put the wallet back in your pocket. Besides dollar coins where used a long time before paper money.
VKurtB
Level 4
The present-day dollar coin is already vending-machine-friendly. A new one does NOT need to be invented. The Mint spent massive amounts of money making sure the present dollar was vending-friendly by working with one of the industry leaders, Goodman Vending of Reading, Pennsylvania, to make it so. Don't like a dollar coin? Fine. But don't use vending machines as an excuse.
Mike
Level 7
Hi hope everything is going well. When I wrote my comment I used other reasons beside a vending machines. Believe me therw are a lot more but my comment was going to long already. I appreciate your answer. Face it we all have our reasons not all mine are right some are. But like I said the blog will cause people to agree and disagree that's what we're here. Thanks. Mike
The Coin Student
Level 5
I'm hoping we keep using paper bills. Coins may last longer, but it seems they would be easier to counterfeit...
Mike
Level 7
So now it's the dollar. Let me see the cent, the nickel now the dollar. Why bother with anything. I mean if you want to design a dollar coin that won't fit it any vending machines parking meters and put wholes in your pocket. I suggest that they go ahead and do it. How many millions are we going to put into research for a new dollar. How many times have Americans said no to a dollar coin. If anyone was ever a waitress or waiter you won't be able to walk with all that change in your pocket. New machines to count them it's going to cost money to make money that we probably won't like. How big will it be? We won't go back to the large dollar to big. The size of a quarter to small. The size of the ones they came out witch failed miserably. Please don't take this personal but this is constant in our coinage. Everyone wants to wipe out our monetary system because someone else did. We're doing fine. There are so many problems in this country I can't believe we ignore them and what to change our money. Let's get rid of our almost twenty trillion in debt first and health care. And the homeless. Why is it always the coinage why. I just don't understand. I say the person who wants to change it let them do the project. They have no idea what they would be getting into. Thank you for another great blog. Anything that will cause discussion is good. It gives us all food for thought. Remember this is just an opinion and nothing else. It's my opinion. I might be totally wrong but it's the way I feel thanks again. Mike