Comparing Western Coin Sizes

I recently had a friend bring across a batch of current coins from the UK and have other friends bring back coins from other countries they visit. As a circulation collector I am fascinated by different coinages, especially the 4 major western currencies USD, Canadian dollar, UK Pound and Euro).

In comparing these coins I compared them in size with their US counter parts.





Just by look and feel here are my thoughts on a redesigned US coinage system that borrows from these other western systems.[rant mode]

2 (unit) Coin: While the US doesn't have a $2 coin, I assume that if and when they do they will follow the lead of Canada and create it as about the same general size and design, a bi-metallic coin a bit smaller than a half but thinner. Of the 3 existing coins I like the £2 coin best, it is thicker but a little smaller diameter. I do prefer the smaller diameter of the €2 coin though, so my ideal US $2 coin would be about the diameter of the €2 but thicker.

1 (unit) Coin. I have to go with the older style £1 "Round Pound". Ideal weight and size, I like the fairly thick feel of it. It is a little bigger around that the nickel but thicker and has a great feel in hand.

1/2 (unit) Coin. I think the Euro wins here. It is about the same diameter as a quarter and a tad thicker. Also has a great feel in hand.

1/4, 1/5 (unit) Coin. I like the UK's 20p coin. about the size of a nickel but a little thinner, the curve edges and incuse lettering is a nice touch. 20/100's makes it easier to dispense with smaller coins when the time comes.

1/10th (unit) Coin. I think the US and Canadian dimes win out here, the Canadian with a slight edge sine it is slightly thinner. It is about as small as a thin coin can get.

2/100th (unit) Coin. Between the Euro and 2p coin I gotta take the Euro. The UP 2p coin is way too big and bulky, especially for it's purchasing power. The US doesn't need one.

1/100th (unit) Coin. While I would just as soon get rid of it altogether, I like the Euro Cent best, while tiny it is a better size-to-value coin than our penny.

Overall I think the Euro system of 3 types with color and feel markers is best if there are a lot of coins. I like the UK's large-value coins size and feel. The US can learn from these other currencies but alas I think we are kind of stuck with the coinage we have now for the foreseeable future.

If we were able to reimagine the entire US coinage system I would steal from these other systems and have something like this:

$2 coin similar to the £2 coin.
$1 coin similar to the £1 coin.
50c coin similar to the 50 Euro cent coin.
20c coin similar to the K's 20p.
10c coin would remain about the same as it is.
5c coin about the same as the UK's 5p.

I would forget about the penny altogether and we do not need a 2c coin.

As far as composition etc. I would go with plated steel like Canada uses for all coins.
Have the $2 coin with a brass outer ring and silver inner ring, reversed for the $1 coin. Use 7 to 11 rounded sides similar to the 50p coin.
The 50 and 20 cent coins would be silver colored and the 10 and 5 cent coins copper colored. Milled edges for the 20 and 20, smooth for the 10 and 5.

All designs would be of Liberty on the obverse and historical depictions on the reverse, such as the Statute of Liberty, Capital, a map design etc. [/rant more]