Did Americans Ever Like Dollar Coin?

Well, when Congress established the dollar as our unit of currency, it was because of the ubiquity of the Spanish eight reales "dollar." The dollars we then minted ended up largely being sent abroad by silver speculators, and Jefferson stopped the minting of silver dollars in 1804. We made NO dollars until the 1830's, but the Spanish piece of eight still was used in circulation. So I guess you could say, dollars were popular once, just not the US-made ones!

Back in the early 1960s, when I lived in Great Falls, Montana, Morgan and Peace dollars were abundant and freely spent. A paper dollar was seldom seen. The banks were full of unopened mint state silver dollar bags and rolled them up to release them into circulation regularly. From what I understand, silver dollars were also used during this time in Nevada and some other western states. One could easily put 3/4 of a collection together from pocket change if you could afford it back then. I recall having dates all the way back to 1878. A friend of mine even found an 1889cc in fine condition. When silver prices rose in the middle 1960s, they all disappeared.

The older silver Morgans were widely used througout the early 20th century. By the time Peace dollars made it out, people were starting to lose favor for them.

My thoughts on such statistics are the same as the type once used by a Dr. Kinzie for his historic sex reports. Twisted to make a story.
As to the dollar coin. I don't know anyone that likes them. I do not know anyone that uses them. Most banks in my area are now refusing the fed from sending them any. Conductors on our commuter trains are requesting people not to try using them. In dark places like bars/taverns, etc. they are constantly mixed up with quarters. The only good thing about them is when I get one instead of a quarter. No slots in most cashregisters for them. Don't work in many vending machines. Really difficult to walk around with 100 of them instead of 100 bills.
Instead of attempting to force the American Public with something they don't want, the government should try to find a way to make the USA budget work.

, worldnumis!

As you point out, west of the Mrs. Ipi, people liked dollar coins, and it wasn't unusual for people to have a pocketful of them.

Trivia:

If you ever see a steak advertised as a cowboy or gaucho cut, the test is to cut a slot in it and drop a silver dollar in it. If it's taller than the steak, send it back.

"Kinsey" and aye some of them were (some of them notorious). However, lots of what he published were simply raw statistics. Most of them creepy. :-)




I do. And so do many millions of people.




Every urban area I've been to has demonstrated a polar opposite to what you're describing. From where do you hail?

Central and Northern New Jersey is saturated with them. Every bank has some on hand, and all businesses will accept them. You're more likely to get eyebrows raised if you try to pay with half dollars. :-)




It is nigh impossible to mix up a golden dollar with a quarter. I'd believe you if you were talking about Suzies, though, as it happens more often than not to me. But a Presidential or Sacagawea dollar? Never.




Never, ever happened to me. And as I mentioned, they're everywhere over here.




Categorically false. There hasn't been a single cash register tray that's been produced over the past 30 years that doesn't have 5 slots (penny, nickel, dime, quarter, other).




The vending machine lobbyists are who pushed for small dollar coins in the first place (which is what got us Suzies). They publish that 99% of modern vending machines will readily accept dollars. No modern vending machines, in contrast, seem to accept pennies. :-)




I have to agree with Libertad. If you carried $100 in singles or coins you'd be limping around, or sitting at a 45 degree angle. :-)

Most wallets on the market cannot accommodate 100 bills at the same time! :-)

However, at any time I have at least $25 in dollar coins on my person without a limp or any discomfort. It's called a coin purse. Example: http://www.walletgear.com/coin-purs...-pocket.html . These can handle a roll of coins plus a small wad of bills without problem. :-)




Again, people prefer the coin to the bill (and consistently, mind) if they are aware of the savings involved.

Every poll that doesn't mention the savings says "no" where every poll that mentions the savings says "yes" (in both cases 2 to 1). This, to me, suggests that 1/3 of us prefer the bill, period, 1/3 of us prefer the coin, period, and that 1/3 of us like our government saving money more than either preference (and the coin demonstrably does that). :-)

I think the issue with dollar coins not getting used as much as bills is mainly because everyone is just used to the bills. Having two different mediums for the same denomination (coin and paper) doesn't help it at all. Stop issuing the bills and the coins will gain wider acceptance.

As for the 100 bills or 100 coins thing... Really? I don't know anyone who doesn't trade up or keep multiple denominations on hand to simplify purchases. I can just imagine going to buy something that costs a few hundred and paying in all singles.