Squares and hexagons (not hectagons) would present some very real challenges for the makers of vending machines -- especially the squares. They might make a whole generation of coin-accepting mechanisms obsolete. (I speak as a non-expert in that area.)
The Canadian Loony ($1 coin) is a rounded undecagon (11 sides). The British 50p is a rounded heptagon. The old threepenny bit was unrounded. However, as it was a dodecagon, it didn't have sharp enough angles to be a problem in vending machines. The threepenny bit was unique in a very interesting way. Normally, on a coin toss, you would only call heads or tails. With the threepenny bit, which was relatively thick, you could also call "on its edge" (as long as the person tossing it would pay according to the odds). I've seen one land that way (not directly, but following a bounce) on at least one occasion (on a smooth, flat, level surface). Of course, on a muddy surface, any coin could end up on its edge. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Behalf Of M R >Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 12:44 >To: U.S. Metric Association >Subject: [USMA:26618] Re: M$ > > >Different shapes for coins is a very good idea. > >They could have made in >Round : 1 cent, 10 cents & 1 euro coins >Square : 2 cents, 20 cents & 2 euro coins >Hectagon : 5 cents & 50 cents coins > >Atleast they have different colors for different sets >of coins and that is good.
