New Dollar Coin

[whiskeyjack]

Just interesting to compare coin sizes for those who haven't seen many of these.  I think this is the third attempt in recent history to introduce a dollar coin.




Quarters fit just inside the ridges of the dollar coins:


And all the dollar coins are the same size:

[maxferry]

Sheesh, you'd think they'd get the picture after a few failures.  People don't like the designs because they're too easy to confuse with quarters, and in terms of aesthetics, they look like car wash tokens (I hate the way the recent run of quarters looks too). I also don't think people want to carry that kind of weight and jingle around with them in their pockets.

I just wish they'd quit wasting our money fixing problems that aren't broken, or coming up with answers to questions no one cares to ask. These goofy plans of theirs get funded by the taxpayers at several tens of millions (at least!) every time they trot out a new one.

[Sabatini]

I also don't think people want to carry that kind of weight and jingle around with them in their pockets.

I just wish they'd quit wasting our money fixing problems that aren't broken, or coming up with answers to questions no one cares to ask. These goofy plans of theirs get funded by the taxpayers at several tens of millions (at least!) every time they trot out a new one.

Actually, I often have $3 in coins in my pockets and 3 of these weigh a lot less than a bunch of nickels, dimes, and quarters.  Canada has gone to the dollar coin and eliminated paper.  They also have a two dollar coin. 

I do agree that dollar coins should be easily distinguised from quarters.  Britain has no paper one-pound note, but instead uses a coin between the diameter of our nickels and quarters, but almost twice as thick.  Weighty, solid and you can tell what is is by feel.

The reason they keep trying to solve the problem is that it would actually SAVE the tax payers millions of dollars because of the durability of coins versus paper.  The mistakes they make are:

1.  They don't make dollars distinctive.
2.  They don't eliminate paper one-dollar bills to force acceptance.

Just my two cents (or maybe two dollars) worth.

[bearsville0]

I agree with Sabatini,

I like the English pound coin--heavy, thick and a distinctive color.

I wouldn't mind a chunky dollar coin.

I sympathize with maxferry's complaint that the coins are indistinguishable from quarters, but then again, the dollar bill is the same size and color as all the others. At least the 100 bill should be a little more sizey and glamorous.

[BrownNote]

We (Canada) moved to a one dollar coin in 1987, and a two dollar version in 96.  In both cases the public wined  and screamed.  They went ahead anyway.   The paper equivalents were eliminated.  I can't imagine going back now (vending machines, parking meters etc).  I do agree that the US version is  too readily confused with a quarter ( I have a few in my US petty cash at the office).  On the other hand us Canucks can get quite confused with US paper money  (The lack of colour makes it all look the same ).    Maxferry is right in that coins are way cheaper due to the longer life span ( a one dollar bill has a life expectancy of nine months)  They are also more difficult to counterfeit.  But you are missing the biggest benefit:  the piggy bank.  I  empty my pockets daily, dumping the change into a coin counter I bought at Staples for 19.95.  Over the course of a year I can easily accumulate over $ 1,000.00.  I call it GAS money (and I'm not referring to the petroleum type)!  What spouse is going to give you a hard time spending "loose change"

[little fingers]

I  empty my pockets daily, dumping the change into a coin counter I bought at Staples for 19.95.  Over the course of a year I can easily accumulate over $ 1,000.00.  I call it GAS money (and I'm not referring to the petroleum type)!  What spouse is going to give you a hard time spending "loose change"

i do the same. paper dollars too. the stuff adds up fast.

[BrownNote]

Stop the presses:


While reading this morning's paper I came across the following article:

"The Royal Canadian Mint's newest coin will weigh 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and will be the size of a party pizza.  The non-circulating, pure gold coin, will have a face value of $1 million dollars, but at current bullion prices will be worth a staggering $ 2 million dollars" etc etc.!  I could probably buy Larrivee with one or two of those.

P.S  Before you think we're totally loonie, or should I say bananas, coins of this type (although this is by far the largest)  are used as an alternative method to holding gold bullion.  Many countries mint high value near pure gold coins.  The Australians are currently peddling a 100,000 Euro coin (~$ 150,000,00).

[Blue in VT]

I think a coin is fine....bring it one....I'm not sure what we'll do at strip clubs but we'll figure it out....I'm married now so it doesn't really matter anyway...

I dislike this particular dollar coin cause George looks constipated or something...just a bad etching.  I personally like the Gold dollar sacajawa (sp?) that came out before...you jst never saw them...collectors snapped them up and they didn't make enough to make a real impact.



Blue

[jeremy3220]

I'm not sure what we'll do at strip clubs but we'll figure it out....I'm married now so it doesn't really matter anymore

really, what do countries with out paper dollars do? Do they have reverse change/token machines where you put in a coin dollar and it dispenses paper token? Seriously, i want to know.

P.S. I edited Blue's quote to reflect what he meant.

[bearsville0]

"...really, what do countries with out paper dollars do? Do they have reverse change/token machines where you put in a coin dollar and it dispenses paper token? Seriously, i want to know."


They write a cheque.

[whiskeyjack]

I'm not sure what we'll do at strip clubs but we'll figure it out. . .

"...really, what do countries with out paper dollars do? Do they have reverse change/token machines where you put in a coin dollar and it dispenses paper token? Seriously, i want to know."

They write a cheque.

This does not translate well.      'Haven't been to a strip club in 36 years or so.  But writing a cheque and placing it in 'um. . . .one of several discrete localities is not sound protocol in such a situation.   

[bearsville0]

"...writing a cheque and placing it in 'um. . . .one of several discrete localities is not sound protocol in such a situation."

I know. That's why it's funny. 


I grew up with the BBC.  You'll have to forgive me.

[whiskeyjack]

 

[Calvin]

the 2 million dollar coin is not a joke.

And I prefer coin over paper bills.  In the long run, you will see the light.  The Loonie (and arguably the Toonie, dont ask - stupid name) is definitely a great invention.  Great for parking and vending machines.

[Randy_R]

Considering that a US$ is only worth 1/3 of what it was 20 years ago, it makes a lot of sense.