Why Doesn't America Get On Board With A $2 Coin?

One step at a time.

1. Let's get rid of the Cent and go to nickel breakage (and strike the nickel in a cost-effective metal).

2. Let's get rid of the $1 bill and go to the $1 coin.
Probably have to redesign the $1 coin so they won't get mixed up with quarters.

3. When #2 is accomplished then release all the $2 bills that are getting stale at the Fed Reserve Banks.
That should lower complaints about $1 coins being pocket busters.

4. THEN after people have gotten used to those changes MAYBE a $2 coin would be possible.
And poly notes are a quite reasonable idea (although the BEP's trouble with the newest $100 note means it would take a while).

Use of anything other than cards declines steadily. Even at places where you would expect coin or currency use, such as gas/convenient outlets, that also see a continuous drop in coin and currency use.

If you watch folks who use coins and currency you may note two facts. First, when c@c is used, in a cashier line with other customers behind, those other customers groan because it takes more time to process that sale. In the "old days" it was the check that got that reaction. But checks are so rarely used today.

Second, the number of people who count their change, even if it includes currency, is perhaps 20% - one in five. Most just stuff it in their pockets or purses, and move on.

These numbers are from a good friend of mine who manages a group of 16 Kwik Trips. Numbers will vary in other parts of the country, I am sure, but the key points remain true, I'm also pretty sure.

C&C is becoming a thing of the past. Fighting about what will be used is fruitless. I can't imagine why they could possibly give a reason for the gazillion cents minted each year. The $2 bills, when used, often require management approval as the clerks think they are counterfeit, most cash registers don't even have a space for 50¢ or dollar coins, as they are so infrequently used. The last spot on the cash drawer is for keys and for "weird coins".

My friend helps with a lot of cash outs, and he loves that weird coin space.

Americans can't even use the $1 coins, never mind $2 coins.

By the time they get a $2 coin figured out coins will be obsolete anyway. As it is they are really only used to make change. They should just stop minting the penny altogether and life will get so much simpler.

Next, in a few years, eliminate the nickel and quarter. The half is already functionally obsolete anyway. Just have a dime to make change with and retain the paper money until the end of currency, which could be seen in the next decade.

Why would we consider a $2 coin when we make a $1 coin that doesn't even get used?

Until we discontinue making the $1 greenback no dollar coin will succeed.

Cutting over 50% of the BEP's production by eliminating the one dollar bill does not bode well for Crane & Co, the BEP Printers Union and the up and down support agencies.

Our Congress Critters are stupid, but they aren't stupid enough to cut off the hands that feed them!

No real chance at getting a $2 coin accepted until you get the $1 coins accepted.

No chance of getting the $1 coin accepted until the $1 note is discontinued.

Reduction in the printing of the $1 note would be largely offset by an increase I the production of the $2 note.

The 50% reduction at the BEP would not occur until both the $1 and $2 notes were withdrawn and the $1 and $2 coins were accepted.