Per Wikipedia, the loonie was adopted in 1987. The present-size US dollar coin was adopted in 1979 (the Suzie B). The imprint and color have changed but not the size, weight, or electromagnetic signature used by vending machines. So, who broke rank and was different for the sake of being different? 1987 - 1979 = 8. When opinion and fact conflict, I lean toward fact. Canada has a perfect right to be different. But to follow us, be different, then accuse us of breaking rank? No, I don't think so. In any case, a change in the coin's characteristics would cost the support of the vending lobby as many machines are designed to accept and dispense the existing coin (most by Federal fiat, there is a law requiring dollar coin handling for vending machines on Federal property, in the post office, and for roads, bridges, parking structures partially funded by Federal dollars). We may hate the coin, but it is well-established with 3 billion in the wild. A design change would cost what little support it has.
--- On Mon, 10/17/11, John Frewen-Lord <[email protected]> wrote: From: John Frewen-Lord <[email protected]> Subject: [USMA:51253] Re: Metric dollar coins To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, October 17, 2011, 5:09 PM _filtered #yiv58873620 { font-family:Calibri;} _filtered #yiv58873620 { font-family:Tahoma;} _filtered #yiv58873620 {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;} #yiv58873620 P.yiv58873620MsoNormal { MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"serif";COLOR:black;FONT-SIZE:12pt;} #yiv58873620 LI.yiv58873620MsoNormal { MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"serif";COLOR:black;FONT-SIZE:12pt;} #yiv58873620 DIV.yiv58873620MsoNormal { MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"serif";COLOR:black;FONT-SIZE:12pt;} #yiv58873620 A:link { COLOR:blue;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv58873620 SPAN.yiv58873620MsoHyperlink { COLOR:blue;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv58873620 A:visited { COLOR:purple;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv58873620 SPAN.yiv58873620MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR:purple;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv58873620 SPAN.yiv58873620EmailStyle17 { FONT-FAMILY:"sans-serif";COLOR:#1f497d;} #yiv58873620 .yiv58873620MsoChpDefault { FONT-SIZE:10pt;} #yiv58873620 DIV.yiv58873620WordSection1 { } Irregular edges on the dollar coin, instead of round edges as on current coins, would be distinctive and recognizable. Have a look at the Canadian 'Loonie' one dollar coin. Sounds like it should fit the bill. Canadian and US coins have always been essentially the same in terms of size - seems silly for the US to go a different route on the $1 coin, especially just for the sake of being different. John F-L ----- Original Message ----- From: Stan Doore To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 9:31 PM Subject: [USMA:51252] Metric dollar coins Getting rid of the one dollar paper bills would be a blessing. A dollar coin, and eliminating the 50-cent coin, would be a natural, effective, progressive and inexpensive way to do it. Irregular edges on the dollar coin, instead of round edges as on current coins, would be distinctive and recognizable. It could be made to metric specs too, at step forward in going metric in the U.S. Let’s do it! Stan Doore From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Harry Wyeth Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 11:25 AM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:51246] Coins (more off topic, or maybe not!) It is sort of on topic, as it relates to attitudes of Americans not wanting to be bothered to change. Just as changing to metric can be really easy, as anyone who has spent any time in a foreign country can attest, changing over to a modified currency/coinage system can be really easy also. I have spent time in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, and there is no problem at all dealing with dollar-type coins and not having dollar-type bills. As stated, the Euro coins are very convenient. In Canada you don't even notice the absence of dollar bills with their "Loonie" and "Twonie" coins. The only exception I can think of is the odd sizing of coins in Australia, where the two dollar coins are too small and the under-dollar coins are huge and cheap feeling. Changing either to metric or new coinage could be about as bothersome to most people as adjusting to a new bus schedule or a few new stoplights on your commute. HARRY WYETH
