# US Golden Dollars ($1 Coins) only really being used in Washington DC? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303 "2018-07-20T23:25:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/21 "2018-07-21T11:02:42Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > It’s not _just_ the cash registers. Even if you magically changed all the registers, the larger retailers that get their change delivered still wouldn’t want to deal with a coin that weighs as much as 26 bills. We had no problem swapping $1 and then $2 bills for coins in Canada and then tossing the penny. Many people think inertia is a reason not to change things. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/22 "2018-07-21T11:28:37Z")
I’ve only gotten them from vending machines. In particular, machines that accept bills higher than $1. I’ve never seen a machine that actually gives out bills in change, so giving out dollar coins is better than quarters. At college, I figured out they were recycling the same dollar coins over and over, and so stopped putting them back in the machine. And, low and behold, they started giving me quarters. This was quite useful, as the washing machines only accepted quarters. So I just bought a coke with a $5 and got change every time I ran low. Very rarely I would get a dollar coin or two. The post office stamp machine, on the other hand, never seemed to run out. ---
**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 21, 2018, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/23 "2018-07-21T12:06:07Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > We had no problem swapping $1 and then $2 bills for coins in Canada and then tossing the penny. Many people think inertia is a reason not to change things. Oh, I’m not saying the retailers should be _listened_ to, just that they have a perfectly rational reason not to switch so long as the government is too timid to stop subsidizing their cash-handling costs. If I had to pay by the pound for money, I’d want everything to be paper. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/24 "2018-07-21T12:24:48Z")
> [@Mr.Bill](#): > > And the best part was I didn’t get arrested for using a $3 bill!:eek: > > Typo, I meant to say I used a $5 bill, but then I’m sure you knew that…:smack: You’re aptly named, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/25 "2018-07-21T12:33:38Z")
Interesting. . . It sounds like nobody privatey really _uses_ them, but they’re foisted on us by vending machine companies. I wonder if Coinstar machines accept them. Has anyone found a company/machine that _would not_ accept them? Tripler I have a couple of Eisenhower Dollars I need to do something with. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/26 "2018-07-21T13:05:14Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Interesting. . . It sounds like nobody privatey really _uses_ them, but they’re foisted on us by vending machine companies. I wonder if Coinstar machines accept them. Has anyone found a company/machine that _would not_ accept them? > > Tripler > I have a couple of Eisenhower Dollars I need to do something with. I actually found one (rather, my 4-year-old daughter found one) in my car the other day. She was delighted. I have no idea where it came from, though. I have no memory of recently receiving a golden dollar. Anyhow, back to your post, the thing is it’s a Catch-22 for me. I absolutely would use them if other people would just use them. I far prefer them to the dollar bill. But I just can’t use them, because I don’t get them. I’d have to take a special trip to the bank if I wanted a pocketful of dollar coins, and the things still confuse some people. And, yeah, definitely get rid of the penny and probably the nickel. These days, I just leave the pennies behind. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/27 "2018-07-21T14:30:25Z")
Yeah you get them as change when buying transit tickets in NYC. I don’t get why they are supposed to be better than bills. I’d rather have some ones in my wallet than a pocketful of heavy jangling coins. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/28 "2018-07-21T15:29:42Z")
I get them when I use vending machines. They are nice to have for the next time using a vending machine, unless you get a thrill from that moment of truth waiting to see if your bill is going to be accepted. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/29 "2018-07-21T16:09:59Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > As mentioned above, dollar coins aren’t given out much because cash vendors don’t want to change their drawers. That’s what it comes down to. Everyone tries to come up with complicated explanations for why dollar coins don’t catch on, and it’s just because of the cash registers. As long as there are dollar bills, they won’t change the drawers. Shame on them. Good hygiene requires a change of drawers frequently. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/30 "2018-07-21T16:44:39Z")
Addressing several things above: CoinStar machines accept dollar coins. Which is where any dollar coins I get go immediately. People who want **more** change in their pockets are demented. I’d go the other way and get rid of _all_ coins. Print polymer bills down to the 5 cent level. Screw coinage! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/31 "2018-07-21T17:17:28Z")
The coins are legal tender and should be legally accepted anywhere in the US. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/32 "2018-07-21T18:57:39Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > At the rate the cost of a bottle of soda is going up, I’m glad that most take the dollar coins–it beats spending time trying to feed the one-armed bandits moldy dollar bills. In–Out–In–Out… Please forgive this brief hijack… I was in Cyprus earlier this year and stopped at the vending machine kiosk when our group was touring an historic site. I was gobsmacked to find that a bottle of (generic) water was only 50 (Euro) cents. Six reasonably-sized bottles of water added up to just three Euros. In the US, they would have been at least $2.00 each. ---
**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 21, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/33 "2018-07-21T19:08:50Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > The coins are legal tender and should be legally accepted anywhere in the US. Strictly speaking, “legal tender” only applies to _debts_. So owners of stores (or vending machines) are perfectly within their rights to say “we don’t take dollar coins / $100 bills / cash, period–debit or credit cards only”; you are attempting to buy something, but there is not yet a debt. However–IANAL–I am pretty sure that if you’re at a fancy (i.e., non-fast-food) restaurant and you’ve already eaten your meal, you are legally entitled to pull out a sack full of Sackies when the waiter brings you the bill. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/34 "2018-07-21T19:31:38Z")
The stamp machine at the Post Office gives change in dollar (and maybe half dollar) coins that nobody wants. I assume the government wants to get these coins into circulation since they bothered minting them for no apparent reason. I can see a justification for the use of quarters until there isn’t any point left in pricing in less than one dollar increments, but that’s about it, get rid of every other coin, round all prices to the nearest two bits\* and end this penny pinching nonsense. _What the hell, make a 12.5 cent coin if they have to and round to the nearest bit._\* \*\*I don’t recall anything but anyone ever consider the binary ‘bit’ name to be related to the piece of eight? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/35 "2018-07-21T19:44:31Z")
I started a thread years ago about dollar coins. Some dude borrowed money from me. He eventually paid me back with dollar coins, twenty or fifty or some horrible amount. I was pissed off and didn’t hide the fact. I use credit cards for many purchases, but like to tip with cash. Right now I have $180 in my wallet. I can’t imagine carrying 180 coins. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/36 "2018-07-21T19:51:25Z")
[Found it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=555202) It was fifty bucks. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/37 "2018-07-21T21:01:02Z")
In my household, it seems that the tooth fairy gives out in gold dollar coins. Otherwise I don’t find them in circulation much. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/38 "2018-07-21T21:03:38Z")
> [@Mr.Bill](#): > > I got some back recently from a vending machine. I bought an item costing $1.65 with a 3.00 bill. Got 3 $1.00 coins and other change. You’re Mad. > [@Musicat](#): > > Shame on them. Good hygiene requires a change of drawers frequently. Seriously, good hygiene requires a change to coins and polymer bills rather than those bacteria infested reeking rags. The smell of money? When it’s cotton, it’s the smell of ass. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/39 "2018-07-21T22:14:31Z")
I’m thinking about countries with even higher denomination coins. Such as Japan with their (roughly $5.00) 500 yen coin. I think that has reached the point of being big enough to annoy even the reasonably well-off to lose. Drop a quarter and it rolls under the machine? Most would probably give up on it. A $1.00 coin? probably more would than not. A $5.00 coin? I’m betting most people physically capable would be on their knees reaching under the machine. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303/40 "2018-07-21T22:19:12Z")
And speaking of coins minted that nobody uses, how about 50 cent pieces? I see that [over 3 million were minted last year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_half_dollar_mintage_figures), and I’m betting that they are used far less often than even dollar coins. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-golden-dollars-1-coins-only-really-being-used-in-washington-dc/818303.md?page=3)