Why the US keeps minting coins people hate and won't use

**DJ Ms. White** · 08-10-10, 09:36 AM

In hidden vaults across the country, the US government is building a stockpile of $1 coins. The hoard has topped $1.1bn - imagine a stack of coins reaching almost seven times higher than the International Space Station - and the piles have grown so large the US Federal Reserve is running out of storage space.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10783019
An example of wasteful spending so to speak if there ever was one.

**jmw_man** · 08-10-10, 09:47 AM

Technically it's not spending if the value of the materials doesn't equate to the value printed on the coin itself. I can guarantee that 8 grams of manganese brass isn't worth one dollar.

**Alundil** · 08-10-10, 09:48 AM

Wasteful...

But, I can also see the potential savings (if the figures are accurate) of phasing out the $1 note. Although, I fear the effect that phasing the $1 note will have on a particularly vulnerable part of the work force. I can see the slogans, bumper stickers and posters now...

"Save the $ Bill, Save the Strippers"

Sigh - sheer poetry

**jmw_man** · 08-10-10, 09:51 AM

I don't really like carrying cash around with me but I really don't like carrying around anything more than my keys and wallet in my pockets...

**jmw_man** · 08-10-10, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Alundil

Wasteful...

But, I can also see the potential savings (if the figures are accurate) of phasing out the $1 note. Although, I fear the effect that phasing the $1 note will have on a particularly vulnerable part of the work force. I can see the slogans, bumper stickers and posters now...

"Save the $ Bill, Save the Strippers"

Sigh - sheer poetry

we can give the strippers the coins now, .... I wonder where they will put it.. .

**DuDDy** · 08-10-10, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Alundil

Wasteful...

But, I can also see the potential savings (if the figures are accurate) of phasing out the $1 note. Although, I fear the effect that phasing the $1 note will have on a particularly vulnerable part of the work force. I can see the slogans, bumper stickers and posters now...

"Save the $ Bill, Save the Strippers"

Sigh - sheer poetry

That just means they're gonna have to be a lil more creative in getting those coins off the stage....new tricks to come.

**Langrad** · 08-10-10, 10:00 AM

Strippers will just have to get coin purses like the rest of us.

**Jester(TA)** · 08-10-10, 10:03 AM

Insert coin here Big Guy!!!!!! LOL I love it.

**jabberwock** · 08-10-10, 12:04 PM

Up here in the great white north we have $1 and $2 coins. I find you spend them fairly fast if they're in your pocket (provided you can count, and don't just reach for the $50), and they sure add up when you go digging for change under your car seat, in your sofa, or that change dish in your house. Seriously, how many 1s do you keep on your person at a time?

I remember using a US $1 coin in some gas station off the I-5 somewhere around San Bernardino, and the cashier laughed at it. Seemed kind of excited to see one, but it was amusing just to see it, apparently. She then proceeded to make fun of the multi coloured Canadian "funny money" that was in my wallet. "HAH!!! Stupid Canadians use different colours for different denominations! What whacky reasoning could there possibly be behind that?! HAH!!" At least she smiled alot, so she was ok in my books.

"I don't see why we need to have the federal government go through the expense of making and replacing paper money for an amount of value that has traditionally in this country been represented by a coin," Congressman Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, said last month.

^Bingo

**DuDDy** · 08-10-10, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Jester(TA)

Insert coin here Big Guy!!!!!! LOL I love it.

I was in Winnipeg one time and well she had you bounce a loony off the stage into a pitcher that she was holding, but not with her hands or feet. She made a lot of money that night.