# Whatever happened to dollar coins? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 20, 2001, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823 "2001-09-20T16:47:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rock\_Lobster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4491bb/32.png) [@Rock\_Lobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rock_Lobster)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/22 "2001-09-20T22:50:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by johnson \* > \*\*More than anything, it would help if the Mint didn’t make them quarter-sized. You can’t feel color in your pocket, and the smooth edges don’t help all that much. I think a coin the size of the British pound would be perfect; if not that, then a different shape (like the 20p coin, perhaps) would do the trick. You’d think they would have learned with the Susan B. Anthony… \*\* I’m a bit odd for a gal, what with keeping change in my pocket. (Long story) BUT…I’ve not had a problem with telling the difference. They’re a bit thicker, and thus (for me anyway) a little more substantial than the quarter. When they first came out, I would ask the Wal-Mart cashier for some. As for hoarding them, the only ones I hoard are those that are encased in their little plastic boxes. My 2 pints…um…pence worth 😃 Kim ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/23 "2001-09-20T23:05:15Z")
Interestingly enough this is the same problem that the 50¢ piece had. We had Franklin 50¢ coins till 1963. They were supposed to have been used but I doubt it was that big. They’re production numbers just don’t show it. But when they started the Kennedy coins they really jacked it up. In 64 they made 433.5 million. 65 - 65.9 mill 66 - 109 mill 67 - 295 mill 68 - 247 mill 69 - 129.9 mil 70 - small amount 71 - 457.3 mill 72 - lots and they kept on making lots and lots of coins that went right into peoples drawers. Now adays they rarely make over 50 mill. As for the SBA dollars I wouldn’t save any of them except for the 1981 ones. They only made 9.8 million. The 1980 number was 89.6 mill so you may want to hold onto those. But 1979 they made 758 million made/ These are for spending. I personally see no reason to save the golden ones and do happily spend them when I get them from buying stamps. I think cashiers are getting a little numb about them now and they just get left in the drawer, but they NEVER give them out as change unless specifically asked. Then that night they just get bagged and sent to the bank. I doubt they will ever be big as (1) we are a democracy and (2) we don’t like things to change. In order for them to come into large use our government will have to snatch the dollar bills from production, something Americans as a whole wont be happy about. I for one would rather keep the bills. The only dollars coins I would be happy with were those peace dollars. Beautiful coins they were. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/24 "2001-09-20T23:34:13Z")
I rarely have gotten them as change. When I do get them I spend them or trade them for paper cash. I agree that that size is a problem too. They should be larger then a quarter, but smaller then a 50 cent piece. Or smaller than a quarter, but larger than a nickel. Then it would be less confusing when you grab for change. Size is what it is all about. In our “modern society” large money, such as 50 cent pieces, Susan B. Anthony Dollars, and Eisenhower dollars were all unusual sizes, and failed. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/25 "2001-09-21T00:18:37Z")
The new gold dollars seem to be very rare in southeast Michigan. They always have been; even when they were first being put into circulation I hardly ever saw one. I agree that they should be a bit larger. Not as large as a Kennedy half-dollar, however. You can damn-near eat your dinner off those things. ---
**Author:** ![ATTGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@ATTGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ATTGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/26 "2001-09-21T00:32:03Z")
Of course you know that their size was pre-determined by the Susan B. They had to have the same size and conductivity so that they would work in the subway token machines and other vending machines that already accepted the SBA $1. I have no trouble telling the difference, they sound different in my pocket (is it weird that I listen to my money to tell what I have in my pocket?) ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/27 "2001-09-21T00:39:22Z")
Maybe another reason the dollar coin doesn’t do so well: I simply _hate_ having change of any kind in my pockets. I shudder at the thought of taking the dollar bill away, so I’d have to lug even more change around than I already have to. I much prefer the light weight, doesn’t-make-noise, doesn’t-spill-out paper money. [hijack] Has anyone ever seen money from New Zealand? I met these guys from NZ when I was travelling through Ireland, and they have the coolest money I’ve ever seen. It’s laminated - or rather, it’s made from some kind of plastic. Doesn’t rip, doesn’t get ruined in the wash - I’m telling you, they’re on to something. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/28 "2001-09-21T03:41:23Z")
The guy who said it tore at his pants said it all. They are just not convenient. Try carrying 10 one dollar bills compared to 10 one dollar coins. People will only use them IF they have to. In Chicago the CTA used to give change in Susan B’s ans Sackies but now they took the change machines out. So I don’t see them anywhere. And as for cashiering. Those who don’t know you have to COUNT your bank every shift. It is a pain to COUNT 50 dollars in coins. It’s much easier to be able to rubberband 25 bills together. Granted you can count change fast but usually the change over in shifts is minimal (no OT so most places don’t want overlap) so you have to count out fast. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/29 "2001-09-21T04:20:54Z")
Um, does there remain a General Question here? ---
**Author:** ![Philosophocles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Philosophocles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philosophocles)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/30 "2001-09-21T04:36:47Z")
There was a question about this on WWTB a Millionaire, and Regis pronounced her name “Sack-a-wee-jee”. ---
**Author:** ![DaveW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DaveW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveW)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/31 "2001-09-21T04:44:37Z")
**Markxxx** wrote: > [@](#): > > The guy who said it tore at his pants said it all. > > They are just not convenient. > > Try carrying 10 one dollar bills compared to 10 one dollar coins. That was my pants pocket. And it wasn’t so bad with ten. Twenty was a bit much, but it’s the same for quarters, really. Too much change overall. I have a similar problem with bills - 20 one-dollar bills would make it tough to fold my wallet properly. I find a bulging wallet to be just as uncomfortable as a boatload of coins. I do like the golden dollars though, I’d largely forgotten about them until this thread came up. I’m going to go get some this payday. **manhattan** wrote: > [@](#): > > Um, does there remain a General Question here? Uh, sure! What the heck happened to Safeway’s (I think) plans? Oh, nevermind. It was [Safeway](http://www.altavista.com/r?ck_sm=fc161d6&ref=20080&r=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/business/hassell/829082), and the plan, apparently, was doomed to failure. According to the article, the Mint only shipped about 1,000 Sacagawea dollars to each Safeway store. What a joke. ---
**Author:** ![DaveW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DaveW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveW)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/32 "2001-09-21T04:47:11Z")
Shoot. Try [this link](http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/business/hassell/829082) instead of the broken one I just posted. ---
**Author:** ![Kipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kipper)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/33 "2001-09-21T05:46:51Z")
> [@](#): > > [hijack] Has anyone ever seen money from New Zealand? I met these guys from NZ when I was travelling through Ireland, and they have the coolest money I’ve ever seen. It’s laminated - or rather, it’s made from some kind of plastic. Doesn’t rip, doesn’t get ruined in the wash - I’m telling you, they’re on to something. [/hijack] Kiwi signing in. Yes we have plastic money, so does Oz who got it quite a while ago. It took a wee while to get used to but now paper money seems rather strange and old fashioned. It was done to combat counterfitting (which was getting to be just a wee bit too easy with scanners etc) and also because it lasts longer. When one and two dollar coins were introduced here the Reserve bank did the sensible thing, withdrew one and two dollar note and dished out heaps of the coins at the same time. Again it took a wee while to get used to but now it’s just fine. [highjack] Why oh why is the Aussie $2 smaller than the $1???[/highjack] ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/34 "2001-09-21T06:42:14Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Munch \* \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Schadenfreude \* > \*\*I wish the mints would work harder at getting them ino circulation. I love getting change in Canada, where you can make $3.25 with three coins. > \*\* How does _that_ work? Do they have a $2 coin? yes they’re referred to as two’nies or toonies. i still have a few from my trip through there. exchange i had in canada: ``` me: "can i get change for this?" (5) ``` cashier: “loony’s or toonies?” me: “uumm whatevers a one” cashier: “where you from” me: “Califonia” cashier: “crazy canadians huh?”,“here’s your loonies” thought i’d share that… ---
**Author:** ![the\_gullywumper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@the\_gullywumper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_gullywumper)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/35 "2001-09-21T08:58:40Z")
not only am a i HUGE Dodger fan (wish i could be there), i am a huge Golden Dollar fan. Instead of a savings account, i save gold dollars and have sewn a small 700 dollar fortune since there introduction. i reccomend this effective, liquid way to save money. peace. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/36 "2001-09-21T11:45:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > \*\*People are hoarding them, simple as that. One link I found (which I can’t find again, consarn it) claimed that something like 800 million of the golden dollars were stashed by individuals with no intent of spending them. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: they’re **NOT** rare or valuable, people! They’re just currency! Spend them! \*\* Reminds me of when the new 5p coin came out in the UK, my grandparents were trying to see who could collect the most. I think the reason behind the change from notes to coins is that notes last a few years at most whereas coins last for maybe a century. There is a new £5 note in circulation in Northern Ireland that is made of plastic so maybe we’ll see a few notes staying in circulation instead of being swapped for coins. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823/37 "2001-09-21T20:50:32Z")
Over the past few months I’ve been noticing them more in cash drawers. It seems that if I can see the drawer of the cash register, I can now often see a few Sackies in there. But there are usually dollar bills, too, and that’s what they give you unless you ask otherwise. Hypothetically, even if the paper dollar were removed from circulation and we were forced to use Sackies, it’s not as if you would normally have to carry 10 or 20 of them in your pockets. Pennies may accumulate, because being worth so little you forget to spend or carry them; but dollars are still worth something so you tend to spend them. That being the case I don’t see why you should usually have to have more than four of them in your pocket. **Max Torque’s** post explains why I haven’t seen any 2001’s yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-dollar-coins/82823.md?page=1)