Comments on: Finally, a market for the new dollar coins

By: JD

JD — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:52:16 +0000

Last year I worked a register job, and I gave presidential coins out to people all the time. Amazingly, older customers would always demand bills instead, and little kids loved the coins. If school cafeterias gave out dollar coins I swear they’d catch on within a decade.

By: Firenze Jewels

Firenze Jewels — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:48:54 +0000

One dollar coins will sometime cause the downfall of the treasury I predict. All the screw ups are amazing. What will the think of next, dubya on the front of one…inspiring.

By: Anitra

Anitra — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:06:47 +0000

I’ve never seen one of the new presidential dollar coins in person, but I drove an ice-cream truck when the Sacajawea dollars were new – the few times I received them, I tried to make sure I gave them back in change to someone else (usually a kid). Unfortunately, dollar coins are rare enough in circulation that people are more likely to hang on to them when they receive them, rather than spending them. Until the Mint starts taking more $1 bills out of circulation, I don’t think we’ll see much of a change.

I’ve spent time in Canada and in the UK, which has convinced me that dollar coins are great; although they’re heavier than bills (obviously), that’s the only real downside.

Also, most cash registers that I’ve seen have five coin “buckets” – the fifth one is usually just used to store an extra roll of pennies or nickels.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:14:54 +0000

I love the £1, £2, €1 and €2 coins, and I would love for the US to get rid of the $1 bill.
I haven’t noticed how the cash drawers are arranged in Europe, but there are also coins worth 2 pence – this adds three slots. I have noticed that after a few days of using them (if you make yourself use them, and don’t keep changing £5 or €5 notes), it becomes much easier to tell them apart. The only drawback that I’ve found is that banks won’t convert foreign coins to dollars – so you have to make sure to use them all before you come home.

By: Finance Girl

Finance Girl — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:01:51 +0000

This must be a trend or something.

My stepson also requested the coins when he lost his first few teeth.

Last week, I found out my boss bought a roll of them (which she hid so well she can’t find!) for her kids’ tooth fairy visits.

At least kids like them!

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:15:23 +0000

When comparing the bulk and weight of $1 coins to $1 bills, I think the bills win hands down. I mean, it’s survivable…I’ve spent a little time in Canada and Europe where the 1 $/Euros are in coins. But it’s not optimal.

And then there’s the cash drawer problem, as you say. I’d probably throw one in with the quarters…or put it under the drawer.

By: Shawn Levasseur

Shawn Levasseur — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:45:33 +0000

Oh, and I bet there’s a reason why no businesses use the coins in making change. The added time in dealing with customers who don’t recognize the coins.

By: Shawn Levasseur

Shawn Levasseur — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:43:58 +0000

I’ve been getting dollar coins often from the bank. Every couple of weeks I ask for some of my cash back in a roll of dollar coins.

They make decent conversation pieces and get noticed when I use them.

I’m not the biggest fan of the Sacajawea coins, preferring the classic Susan B. Anthony ones. Especially the back side of them which had an eagle gliding in for a landing on the Moon with the Earth in the background.

The new George Washington is one I like mostly for the Statue of Liberty being on it. I hope that continues through the rest of the presidential dollar coins.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:17:34 +0000

Well being Canadian, we don’t have $1 bills but we do have $1 coins.

Working at a bank I deal with the bills all the time and I must say I prefer the coins. Small denomination bills get really dirty really easily as they pass through hands so often, whereas metal coins are normally not as bad. And yes, they do weigh more than bills, but are much easier to sort when pulling out of a pocket, etc. They’re also smaller.

Having used both I prefer $1 coins, personally!