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A recent letter from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing about the $1 coin

I have been writing letters to my elected officials for quite a while now concerning the $1 coin & the elimination of the $1 bill with the expected double talk and promises to "look into the matter". So, I wrote a letter to President Bush about it in February and a month ago I got a response from the BEP. Here's the letter.



<<Aug 06 2004

President Bush has asked me to respond directly to your suggestion regarding the elimination of the United States $1 paper currency in favor of the $1 coin. You believe that the $1 coin can never achieve popularity, with the existence of the $1 paper currency note. Further, you specified the savings that could be realized with the successful circulation of the $1 coin.

The Department of the Treasury opposes elimiation of the 1 note in favor of a $1 coin; however, arguments surrounding this proposal are continually monitored. It is the opinion of the Department that both currency denominations can co-exist. Please keep in mind that the key for successful circulation of the $1 coin is for retailers to use them just like any other currency denomination in their daily operations. Additionally, most commercial banks will readily supply their retail customers with these coins if their customers request them in sufficient volumes to justify stocking them in their vaults. However, neither the Department nor the Federal Reserve System can force the distribution or use of any denomination of currency on banks, businesses, or individuals.

According to a study prepared by the General Accounting Office (GAO), projected savings for the replacement of the $1 coin would not be immediate in nature. GAO's analyses indicate that the government costs would actually increase by $80 million during the first year of dollar coin production; in fact, an actual saving would not be reached until 13 years after production of the coin began.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. Your correspondence contained a lot of detailed information and it is obvious that you gave your suggestion a great deal of thought. Please note, however, that the lifespan of the $1 U.S. paper currency note is 22 months. For your review, I am enclosinga fact sheet entitled, "Dollar Points" which discusses the symbolism behind the American paper dollar. I trust that this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Dawn R. Haley, Chief
Office of External Relations >>


So, in a nutshell. Forget about it!

Does anyone really think we will ever see the elimination of the $1 note and a circulating $1 coin in our lifetimes? In my opinion, Not a chance, as long as that kind of burecratic mindset opposes it.




edited to correct some spelling. image
Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"

Comments

  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    One dollar notes make up about half of all production from the BEP. All paper for US currency is supplied by one company. That one company is in located in Ted Kennedy's state.

    I think that explains why the $1 won't be discontinued any time soon.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    Somebody there is from MA!
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    I would expect the BEP to be against removing the $1 bill. It's half of their business afterall. The question is, what does the mint say about it? Gotta get 'em fighting.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    At least you got a response. I'm not surprised at all.
  • Other people should ask the same question to see if they get the same FORM letter to the question.
  • BikingnutBikingnut Posts: 3,375 ✭✭✭
    The Department of the Treasury opposes elimiation of the 1 note in favor of a $1 coin; however, arguments surrounding this proposal are continually monitored. It is the opinion of the Department that both currency denominations can co-exist. Please keep in mind that the key for successful circulation of the $1 coin is for retailers to use them just like any other currency denomination in their daily operations.

    Morons, they've got morons on their team.
    US Navy CWO3 retired. 12/81-09/04

    Looking for PCGS AU58 Washington's, 32-63.

  • President Bush has asked me to respond directly to your suggestion regarding the elimination of the United States $1 paper currency in favor of the $1 coin.

    Yeah Hahaha OK!

    It is the opinion of the Department that both currency denominations can co-exist

    BS statement. Hasn't this been tried now for roughly forty years?

    However, neither the Department nor the Federal Reserve System can force the distribution or use of any denomination of currency on banks, businesses, or individuals

    Sure it can. Doesn't other govt. dept's force the U.S. citizens to do things? Like maybe , the IRS?

    an actual saving would not be reached until 13 years after production of the coin began

    In continuing with the dollar bill will there be any savings? If not, why not start now?

    Please note, however, that the lifespan of the $1 U.S. paper currency note is 22 months

    Been along time since I have seen a 1965 1$ bill floating around. In fact, I dont think I have ever had one. Anyone ever get a 1965 quarter in there change? What does it cost to make 1 U.S. quarter dollar? What does it cost to make 21 1$ bills?

    PURPLE


  • << <i>GAO's analyses indicate that the government costs would actually increase by $80 million during the first year of dollar coin production; in fact, an actual saving would not be reached until 13 years after production of the coin began. >>

    Bull image
    Roy


    image
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭
    image
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • If you really want to do something to promote your cause, why don't you try minimizing your own usage of dollar bills and use dollar coins instead. The only way to make people aware of them, is to get them out there into circulation.
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    image
  • Coinhusker

    I commend you for your taking your time to write government officials.

    We all run our mouths about how things should be but only a tiny minority really make an effort to be heard. I think it is sound fiscal policy to eliminate the dollar bill in favor of a circulating dollar coin. I encourage everyone who agrees to do as Coinhusker has done and write your senators, congressman, henrietta fore, and the person above at the BEP.

    I will do so tomorrow, and will also put in my two cents worth on current coin designs and dead presidents.
  • Wow !
    13 years to break even ?
    what about all them 79 SBA's in the vault ?
    I reckon 25 years is plenty.
    The only way the $1 coin makes it is to disco the dollar bill !
    image
  • It's an interesting twist in that at one time in this country silver and gold dollar coins were actually favored over paper because people didn't trust the government. Now they trust the government so blindly that not only do they trust paper over metal, they actually let them get away with debasing the currency when gold and silver were eliminated from our monetary system. I say we should go back to the bi-metal standard.
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  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    You should write another letter saying:
    With that same logic a 50 cent note should be introduced. Nobody uses the 50 cent coin, and think of all the additional jobs and revenue that can be created for the BEP and the Mass. Pork Barrel company. image
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If you really want to do something to promote your cause, why don't you try minimizing your own usage of dollar bills and use dollar coins instead. The only way to make people aware of them, is to get them out there into circulation. >>




    I do, I do! I use Sac's almost exclusively. I wear a belly bag and instead of singles in my wallet I carry Sac's in my bag. image
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Coinhusker

    I commend you for your taking your time to write government officials.

    We all run our mouths about how things should be but only a tiny minority really make an effort to be heard. I think it is sound fiscal policy to eliminate the dollar bill in favor of a circulating dollar coin. I encourage everyone who agrees to do as Coinhusker has done and write your senators, congressman, henrietta fore, and the person above at the BEP.

    I will do so tomorrow, and will also put in my two cents worth on current coin designs and dead presidents. >>




    Fats,

    I've been writing 2 letters or so a year for the past 2+ years. I always get a response, except from Chuck Hagel one of my senators, who seems too busy to respond to constituients letters. At first, they all were interested in the proposal, until they got "information" from the powers that be at BEP and then they cooled off noticeably to the idea. But I'm going to keep writing. As Mr. Smith said, "someone's going to hear me..." (Mr. Smith goes to Washington)
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    It's an uphill battle, but I try. Sometimes when I go to the P.O. to ship something or to check my box, if we're running low on stamps I'll buy a $7.40 book of stamps from a vending machine with a $20 and get 12 Sacs and Susies in change to use.
  • What crapola. The BEP has an inerent bias, as they would have to lay off have of their workforce if the $1 bill is eliminated.

    I guess we are too stubborn to learn anything from the Canadians.
  • They may replace in time, They did it in Australia with the one dollar and latter replaced the two dollar with a coin also, I have the first few coins that were released from the mint, I also got the first lot of ten dollar notes that were made out of plastic and were recalled dew to the print rubbing off.

    Both the One and Two dollar coins and plastic notes were disliked by the people, but people started to like them and the coins and notes last years longer.

  • if we're running low on stamps I'll buy a $7.40 book of stamps from a vending machine with a $20 and



    Hooo weeee! I wouldn't trust our PO machines with a $20........ image
  • mhammermanmhammerman Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭
    If they made the dollar coins out of something other than crapmetal then maybe people would want to have them in their pockets. People don't like the coin mainly because it is worthless eventhough it does say $1.

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