# Fed stores $1B in Dollar coins **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 22, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009 "2011-07-22T18:40:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/21 "2011-07-22T21:03:29Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > They can. That’s the problem. Changing the size or weight of the dollar coin now would force the industry to upgrade every machine that currently accepts them. So who the hell thought it was a good idea to make the size and shape so similar to a quarter? BTW, if the coin was microplated with gold, would it remain shiny indefinitely? If so would that be practical and what would it cost? ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/22 "2011-07-22T21:05:24Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I like 'em. And I’d be happy to use them if I were given them in change but I’m not going to specifically go to a bank and ask for them, which is pretty much the only way I’d ever get them since nobody uses them. This is the way I feel. I _never_ get dollar coins as change anywhere. I’d use them if I did. But I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/23 "2011-07-22T21:09:01Z")
I don’t believe that it’s the vending machine industry. Why would it be so unable to change in the U.S. when vending machines in the U.K., the Euro zone, Canada and Australia have all been able to accept new kinds of coins? I think it’s unwillingness to offend the conservatism of some Americans who are reluctant to stop using dollar notes. In other countries, they just stop printing low denomination notes, and that’s it: use coins, or nothing. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/24 "2011-07-22T21:09:37Z")
Gold plating would wear off, just like with cheap jewelry. I sometimes go to the bank to load up on dollar coins and two dollar bills so I can spend them and annoy the cashiers who try to pile the coins on top of the bills when they hand back change. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/25 "2011-07-22T21:53:47Z")
Last month I was travelling with my brother in Denver, and we had to buy mass transit fare cards. Our fare was $4.50 and the machine gave dollar coins as change. My brother, ordinarily a rational and intelligent person, had nothing smaller than a $20, and was _horrified_ at the thought of getting 15 coins in return. He thought nobody would accept them, or merchants would “look at him funny”. He _begged_ me to give him a smaller bill. I took his $20, bought the fare card, took the coins and gave him bills, and happily unloaded the coins withn two hours. Nobody rejected them. Nobody “looked at me funny”. Even the hotel vending machines were no problem. Why are people so fucking afraid of money? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/26 "2011-07-22T22:03:29Z")
This “You can’t tell them apart from quarters!” argument always comes up. Dollar coins are as different from quarters as quarters are from nickels. This is especially true of the Sackies and U.S. Presidents dollars, which not only have a different edge from quarters but are also a different color. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/27 "2011-07-22T22:04:30Z")
I’ve been thinking about it and I think I can understand how we ended up with a dollar coin that’s roughly the same size as a quarter. From what I’ve seen, the coin slots in vending machines are sized for a quarter or smaller, so that’s the upper limit in size. Perhaps people thought that it would be “wrong” for a dollar coin to be smaller than a quarter (although the dime is smaller than the nickel). So we have two coins of roughly the same diameter, although the dollar coin is noticeably heavier and thicker than the quarter. I can feel the difference in the two coins even if they’re in my pocket. So it’s just a matter of people getting used to them. Getting rid of the one dollar bill would help their acceptance (along with the penny to free up a slot in cash registers). ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/28 "2011-07-22T22:14:32Z")
It’s also worth pointing out that the old [Eisenhower dollars](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisenhower_Dollar) weren’t exactly wildly popular either. Because _those_ are just too gosh-darned BIG! ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/29 "2011-07-22T22:28:00Z")
Dimes are smaller than nickels because the coin size used to be determined by its silver or other metal content. Nickels weren’t made of silver so they had to be bigger. Nowadays the type of metal doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/30 "2011-07-22T22:36:24Z")
How many “dollar coin” attempts have there BEEN in the last 50 years now? Eisenhower Susan B. Anthony Sacagawea President heads I’m not an expert on vending machines, but aren’t the last 3 all interchangeable when used in a vending machine that accepts them? I remember the Eisenhowers were much larger and heavier, as well as the Kennedy .50 coins. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/31 "2011-07-22T22:43:11Z")
Yes, vending machines treat the Susan B Anthony, Sacagawea and Presidential dollar coins the same. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/32 "2011-07-22T22:47:29Z")
Wait… we bail out the banks with billions and what, trillions, and they have the gall to send dollar coins back to the fed and say “we don’t want them?” Tough shit, take 'em. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/33 "2011-07-22T22:58:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Yes, vending machines treat the Susan B Anthony, Sacagawea and Presidential dollar coins the same. Which is the problem. They made a mistake designing the Susie and have stuck with that mistake ever since. They will not be accepted until we have a dollar coin that can be accurately and repeatably be pulled out of a pocket full of change. I really loved the English 1 pound coin. Well designed, felt good in the hand, easy to tell from their other coins. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/34 "2011-07-22T23:02:39Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I think that the whole issue will become moot soon enough. I rarely use cash anymore. It’s getting easier and easier to make micro-payments with smartphones. That’s where it is all headed. Which is great, if you \*have \*a smart phone. I don’t. I haven’t needed a phone that does all the things a smart phone does, and I’m not about to spend that much money every month for something I use maybe once every 3 or 4 months. My mileage varies. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/35 "2011-07-22T23:10:05Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Wait… we bail out the banks with billions and what, trillions, and they have the gall to send dollar coins back to the fed and say “we don’t want them?” AFAIK, these coins didn’t come back from banks. They were never sent anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/36 "2011-07-22T23:11:53Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Yes, vending machines treat the Susan B Anthony, Sacagawea and Presidential dollar coins the same. > > Which is the problem. They made a mistake designing the Susie and have stuck with that mistake ever since. They will not be accepted until we have a dollar coin that can be accurately and repeatably be pulled out of a pocket full of change. Try putting a quarter and a dollar coin in your pocket and reach for one blindly. I think you’ll find that you can, in fact, tell the difference. The dollar coin is noticeably heavier and thicker. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/37 "2011-07-22T23:24:51Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Which is great, if you \*have \*a smart phone. I don’t. I haven’t needed a phone that does all the things a smart phone does, and I’m not about to spend that much money every month for something I use maybe once every 3 or 4 months. My mileage varies. 😉 Indeed. Fifteen years ago, most people were saying the same exact thing about regular cell phones. Smart phones and their plans will only get relatively cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/38 "2011-07-23T00:17:55Z")
Do the people who get confused by the dollar coin and the quarter also get confused by the dime and the penny? The dime has 94% of the diameter, 88% of the surface area, and 87% of the thickness of the penny. They are different colors. The dime has a milled edge and the penny has a smooth edge. The quarter has 91% of the diameter, 84% of the surface area, and 87% of the thickness of the dollar coin. They are different colors. The quarter has a milled edge and the dollar coin has either a smooth edge or a smooth edge with incuse lettering. I’m not seeing why only one pair would be confusing to people. I could see how it would be possible for the Susan B. Anthony dollars to have recognition problems, but not the new ones. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/39 "2011-07-23T00:34:51Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > My brother, ordinarily a rational and intelligent person, had nothing smaller than a $20, and was _horrified_ at the thought of getting 15 coins in return. He thought nobody would accept them, or merchants would “look at him funny”. He _begged_ me to give him a smaller bill. I wouldn’t mind having a few dollar coins in my pocket. I wouldn’t want to walk around with 15 of them in my pocket. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009/40 "2011-07-23T00:34:55Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Do the people who get confused by the dollar coin and the quarter also get confused by the dime and the penny? Yes. I have had this issue, certainly. It is not that they _can’t_ be told apart, but you often have to pay more attention than ought to be necessary to do so. I am another (like many contributors to this thread) who is in favor of dollar coins on the whole, but who thinks it was _really dumb_ to make them so similar to the quarter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-stores-1b-in-dollar-coins/590009.md?page=3)