I use the Sacagawea coin (when I can get them) but have some problems with it. They tarnish too easily. Also, Sacagawea is a poor choice (but much better than the scowling Susan B. Anthony). Why couldn't they put Lady Liberty on the dollar coin like the examples below? Now that would be a coin that would represent the dollar in a classier manner.
I like it!!!
Ugh. No thank you. Haven't you read all those articles from Canadians warning us about about what happens when you rely on a bunch of little coins for buying anything under $5? Prior to the Canadians "improved" system, their "dollar" was actually worth more than our "dollar". Now it's so devalued it's worth about 65 cents American (and dropping)The thought of paying $1.00 for a local phone call or a can of coke doesn't sound too fun, nor can I imagine a strip joint where where guys drop coins down bras.
And besides, aren't you the same guys yapping about how we shouldn't follow Europe's fiscal policies?
Personally, I think we need MORE paper money, not less. It's high time we put $500 and $1000 bills back in public circulation so people don't have to pay by check all the time when they make large down payments. $500 is worth far less than it was 100 years ago, but $1 is still used in purchasing small, individual items.
Secondly, as Steve Forbes noted, we need to make our paper currency more durable (translation: won't wear and tear as easily) and aestically pleasing. Again, this stuff looked great in the 19th century. Now we've "progressed" to cash that looks like it's from a monopoly game or a type of coupon. They even want to start color-coding it (again, like our friends in Europe--rainbow money). If they want to stop counterfeiting, they need MORE detailed money, not less. Get rid of the "new" cash with it's oversized cartoonish portraits. We're not five year olds.
And as for our coins, I do not want P.C. "dollar" coins that look like quarter-rejects or tokens from Chucky Cheese's. No Susan B. Anthony or "Sacajaweea" coins. The last worthwhile dollar coin was the EISENHOWER dollar (which was in circulation far more than the recent P.C. coins). It was clearly larger and heavier than the other coins (so people KNEW it was worth more), and it LOOKED like a dollar coin should look. Any future dollar coin should be the same size and weight, not be any silly colors, and a STATESMEN on the coin. I suggest John Marshall or something simular. The dollar coin should work in harmony with the dollar bill. The bill is more convient for quick, every day purchaeses, the dollarcoin is more useful for recreation and entertainment spending (such as using it as change at casinos, or using it to purchase tickets for a bus)
Of course, none of these changes will take place until we have a real secretary of the treasury. American currency should be one's pride and joy-- displaying a nation's history, pride, art-- AND it should be easy to identify and use. The current money does neither.