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 Replies: 36 / Views: 3,900 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2202 Posts |
In reading some of the posts from the "Project $100k" threads for putting half-dollar and dollar coins into circulation, I'm amused by some of the reactions (informed or otherwise) we get from the people behind the counter when we attempt to spend out-of-the-ordinary coins. I thought it'd be fun to have a separate thread detailing memorable reactions. One that comes to mind for me is a few years back when I was in a Michael's Arts and Crafts store and gave the young woman behind the counter a Presidential dollar to pay for my purchase. She looked at it for a moment and then called for her manager. When the manager rang her up, she asked, "Are we accepting tokens these days?" I broke in and told her that it was a real coin. She didn't believe me until the manager got there and confirmed. Anyone have similar stories? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
691 Posts |
This happened about 20 years ago at the Dollar General store in the middle of nowhere in a rather rural state. My payment included a half dollar. The young man acted like he had never seen a half dollar before. He looked at the front and back several times and then slowly read out loud off the back, "Half dollar." Then he asked me, "Mister, is this a half dollar?" I replied, "Yes it is." He then asked, "Well, how much is that?"
Edited by Ynnad
09/08/2023 4:00 pm
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
"Are we accepting tokens these days?" The "$1" on the reverse does not help.  Quote:
"Mister, is this a half dollar." I replied, "Yes it is." He then asked, "Well, how much is that?"  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6537 Posts |
You should see them when you pull out an old $50 or $100 bill out   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19947 Posts |
$2 notes are the BEST for confusing the ignorant!
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
25152 Posts |
I included a deuce in a cash payment and the cashier (27? F) said "How cool! I'm keeping this one for myself!". I think it was the first one she had ever seen. Makes me want to get a strap and start spreading them.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
95740 Posts |
great stories so far - I went to a wall mart a few years ago and gave the cashier about $50.00 in $1 coins, I just got a very hard stare from the cashier and long (and loud) moans from the folks in line behind me |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
Royal Bank of Canada, I went in and asked if they had any silver (nickel) dollars and/or 50 cent pieces. Teller told me that Canada has neither. In an attempt to educate I asked to talk to the manager. She also had NO IDEA about the albeit not everyday coins.
I honestly would've thought part of working for a bank would include knowing what forms of currency are out there. It's literally only a 5 minute conversation.
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Valued Member
United States
178 Posts |
ugh, I was at a checkout the other day and had to argue with the girl to "just type in the number and see what happens". the total was like $2.97 or something like that and I gave her $3.07 (seven very old crusty pennies that I already looked at...). and she was like, "it's less than three dollars. I just need the three dollars..." there's a difference between ignorance and stupidity... do you have to be both AND stubborn too? I don't know how many times this has happened.
and SBAs have been pretty good for confusing people in my experience.
Edited by shathe
09/08/2023 8:27 pm
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Valued Member
United States
467 Posts |
Civilization took a step backwards when they got rid of the Sweda registers in the grocery stores. As a kid I worked one for five years in the 60s, and was much faster - and accurate - then the modern scanner registers. Doing the math in your head was second nature.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
807 Posts |
Hondo Boguss, I always ask for $2 notes at the bank. I spend them, but I also like to leave a cash tip at restaurants when I pay by card, and $2 notes (and $1 coins and half-dollars) are excellent for that. In addition to their monetary value they brighten people's days, it seems. I just hope they don't get disappointed by thinking these unfamiliar currencies are worth a premium.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19947 Posts |
Quote:
I spend them, but I also like to leave a cash tip at restaurants when I pay by card, and $2 notes (and $1 coins and half-dollars) are excellent for that. In addition to their monetary value they brighten people's days, it seems. I just hope they don't get disappointed by thinking these unfamiliar currencies are worth a premium.
ME TOO! The reactions are priceless! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
25152 Posts |
How about dropping an Ike or two on them?
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3207 Posts |
everybody likes Ikes, unmistakable due to size and heft, some cashiers probably think they are silver dollars, "You sure you want to spend this?"
half dollars are commonly confused as being dollar coins
"Educating cashiers about the 20th century, one at a time."
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2202 Posts |
I once used a couple of Presidential dollars to pay for my bill at a Dunkin' Donuts. The young woman behind the counter got very excited and let me know she was a collector! She said she wasn't sure if she had those two heads in her collection, but she was going to check when she got home that night. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
676 Posts |
I got a "you sure you want to spend that two" when I bought a proof set at the antique store, "yes I am sure I want to spend it." Not quite directly quoted but close enough.  |
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Replies: 36 / Views: 3,900 |
Posted 09/08/2023 4:00 pm
