We knew they were coming, but now the new $1 coins are entering circulation. I guess the Mint figures that it was the sex of the person depicted that kept the Susan B and Sacagewea coins from being accepted. It isn’t meant to take the place of the dollar bill, we are told.

The United States Mint today released into circulation the new George Washington $1 Coin, the first in a series of $1 coins honoring former United States Presidents.

The George Washington $1 Coins are legal tender and can be used for commerce and collecting. All Presidential $1 Coins are designed to work in most coin machines, including parking meters and vending machines.

Modeled after the United States Mint’s successful 50 State Quarters® Program, the Presidential $1 Coin Program will feature systematically rotating designs of former United States Presidents. The George Washington $1 Coin marks the first of four Presidential $1 Coins to be released this year, with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to roll out later in 2007.

Was it really the fact that earlier dollar coins had women on them that kept them from being accepted by the public?



  1. MikeN says:

    Who wants Susan Anthony or Sacajawea coins? Maybe if they’d put Margaret Thatcher or even Marie Curie, they might have been successful. I think the presidents verion will do better.

  2. ECA says:

    Only reason the Coin dollars Failed is the SIZE…
    they were perfect quarter Size…
    Many Metro Bus services use them as chage from their machines…

  3. The fact that women were on the coins had nothing to do with their failure. Simply put, the answer is here – “It isn’t meant to take the place of the dollar bill.” Everywhere else in the world the bill was removed from circulation when the coin was introduced.

    Easy solution is to start pulling the one dollar bill, and while you’re at it, pull the cent as well.

  4. jccalhoun says:

    I love the dollar coins. One of the best things about going to Canada are the one and two dollar coins. It is great to be able to pull a handful of change from your pocket and actually have it amount to something.

    I have gotten a bunch of dollar coins from the post office machines. But I never had any problem getting a vending machine to take them. Around the time they issued the gold ones they replaced a lot of the coin mechanisms so newer machines all seem to take them around here.

  5. ECA says:

    34,
    you almost hit it…
    Every nation replaces there money…Makes the OLD stuff obsolete and NOT useable.
    We make a new bill, and KEEP the old stuff around.
    Its confusing for tellers, and those trying to KNOW whats legal, thats why the last change in Bills caused so much confusion…Including 1 person being arrested for useing $2 bills.

    ANd what is this 15 second post rule…i aint been on for 2 hours…

  6. RuralRob says:

    The Mint should have put President Bush’s face on the coins. Then they would be WAY more popular. The Rapture Righties would collect as many as possible so they can cover their walls with them and worship them, and the rest of us could use them for target practice.

  7. Ron Larson says:

    Here in Australia they use coins for $1 and $2. The smallest note is $5. I’ve gotten used to it and I now prefer it over small notes.

    The only complaint I have is that the AU $2 coin is smaller than the $1 coin. You get used to it soon enough, but it still doesn’t make any logical sense.

    BTW… the notes down here are also different sizes, unlike the US where all notes are the same size. The higher denomination notes are slightly larger than their smaller relative. They also also made of plastic instead of paper. So at first they seem fake.

  8. RuralRob says:

    I apologize for my last post (#37). Wasn’t necessary or called for in this thread.

  9. doug says:

    yes, if they want to have a successful dollar coin, they must pull the dollar bill. and Congress would have to pass a law requiring all new vending machines to accept them.

    the Treasury does not have the guts to do it, so they will just keep on cranking out these collectibles.

    If they want to follow a successful example, look to the 1 pound UK coin. small, but thick. no way could be mistaken for any other coin

  10. Manitoban says:

    I don’t get what the big deal is. Most countries, including Canada are replacing paper money with coins because they last longer. Most European countries even have coins up to 5 of their base currency.

    The last report I’ve read, The Canadian Mint has saved over $500 million dollars last year with the $1 and $2 dollar coins.

  11. Carolyn says:

    Yes, it’s true that carrying coins are a hassle….It puts too much weight on wallets, pockets, and purses…..What I do think they should do is exchange dollar bills to 2dollar bills or at least just add in the 2 dollar bills…..Honestly practically everything you purchase even a piece of candy bar can almost cost more than a dollar…. Prices have been increasing throughout the years….Sooner or later nothing would cost less than a dollar or even a dollar flat….so stick to pennies, dimes, and nickles….Items purchased always end in $1.05 etc. which will always break in the dollar bill…Think about this back then a comic book can actually cost you lesser or equal to a $1.00 buy a comic book now and your looking at $1.49 or $2.49 and up….We don’t need more coins we need larger bills……

  12. Smartalix says:

    It makes large-scale counterfeiting tough.

  13. Mr. Fusion says:

    #39, Yes, you should. But damn, that was funny.

  14. Carolyn says:

    Hey that was pretty funny #37….Now thats an idea!!

  15. mike says:

    The new coin is an OUTRAGE. “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” has been moved to the outside edge of the coin. It is not on the face of the coin. Some groups want this motto removed and it looks like they are getting their way. The mottos can hardly be seen and can be easily scraped off. Also, nowhere on the coin is the word “LIBERTY”.


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