Public Awareness of Dollar Coins

RWB

Recently, I’ve been spending dollar coins of all three presidents and Sacagawea at local shops and chain stores. I’ve noticed an increase in the number of clerks who seem to be reading the obverse of the presidential coins. Several have mentioned, “I don’t have that one,” or made similar comments suggesting they are collecting them by presidential type. A couple of clerks have asked if I had any more “Jeffersons” or “Adams,” and if I had them, readily exchanged them for paper currency. The local 7-11 clerk noticed some Jefferson dollars in my hand as I paid for my coffee, and asked if she could buy one from me. (No, I do not waste money at Star*ucks although one is just down the street from the 7-11.)

Has anyone else noticed this behavior by checkout clerks? Does it indicate the dollar coins may eventually circulate or does it suggest they will mostly be saved by new “collectors?”

AskRaq

In my area (SW Florida) they are readily recognized and somewhat circulating... but, as another thread posted: Macomb County Illinois is dumb-struck by them

doh

IMHO, they'll just be saved by new "collectors." Dollar coins won't work until the US takes the $1 note out of circulation.

Zoins

I think it means that Congress was correct to think that changing the designs of the dollar coins will generate more interest in them. There's a lot more talk about them than the Sacs but those may get a second chance when the reverses start changing. As much as some people here don't like the growing number of types in circulating coins, the general public seems to like them.

Zoins

<< <i>IMHO, they'll just be saved by new "collectors." Dollar coins won't work until the US takes the $1 note out of circulation. >>

Why do you put "collectors" in quotes? Is it because they are not paying a premium for their coins on the secondary market?

<< <i>Modern coins are boring and worthless. >>

Nice way to reach out to the "collectors" and future YNs out there.

sumnom

I spent two Adams dollars at a coffee shop yesterday and the clerk seemed quite pleased by them. It's the first time I have seen a reaction in a long time. Most people don't look twice when I spend dollar coins around here in Seattle.

In general, however, I agree that dollar coins won't circulate widely until the dollar bill is discontinued.

pharmer

We should all use them for the purchases we make most often. Like filling up with gas, a pretty common purchase.

Levi's is coming out with a new line of jeans with reinforced pockets just for those who want to do this.

I just went to the restaurant and picked up my take-out lunch order, paid with them. Waited for the reaction. Cashier says "What? Am I supposed to comment on these? Get a life! Next!"

sumnom

Reinforced pockets? I don't know why people think dollar coins are heavy. I have a few in my pocket right now and don't even feel them.

fc

i also dislike the idea of carrying several of those large coins that
only add up to several dollars.

i would rather have a silver dollar worth face of 10 with the same size.
a smaller silver 5, and a smaller silver dollar, prob the size of a dime.

then you would have "real money" that is easy to carry and
can add up to make larger purchases.

i cannot remember the last time i paid less then a dollar while
standing to pay for something... hmmm

pharmer

<< <i>Reinforced pockets? I don't know why people think dollar coins are heavy. I have a few in my pocket right now and don't even feel them. >>



To fill up your car with gas, one of the most frequent purchases people make, would take, what, 30-60 of them? You don't feel them?

sumnom

Dollar coins aren't all that big. They're just a little larger than a quarter. I find them quite convenient.

sumnom

Well, I don't carry 30-60 of them. I usually carry 5 to 10.

I don't have a car so I don't buy gas all that much.

pharmer

Since when is it just about you?

seanq

<< <i>

<< <i>Reinforced pockets? I don't know why people think dollar coins are heavy. I have a few in my pocket right now and don't even feel them. >>



To fill up your car with gas, one of the most frequent purchases people make, would take, what, 30-60 of them? You don't feel them? >>



Your point is nonsense, or a feeble attempt at humor. I don't normally pay for my gas with a stack of $1 bills, either.

I spent two Adams coins for my coffee this morning and the cashier didn't even bat an eye.


Sean Reynolds

jamakin

I live in New York city and have noticed that most convienience/grocry stores more often than not have quite a few dollar coins in the till.
This is a distinct change from a year ago. I have been able to get almost the all the presidential coins (P&D) from requesting my change in dollar coins.
Although D mint marks are much harder to come by they do pop up.
I have had the best luck finding D mint mark dollars buying stamps at the local post office machines. The machines there will give you all your change back as dollar coins. If you put in a $@20 and cancel the transaction without buying stamps you get 20 BU dollars back. I haven't recieved a BU Sac in change from the machines yet this year. I laugh when I see the US mint commercials because I think someday they will do a commercial with a shot from a post office security cam showing me putting money into the stamp machine just to get the change!

Arizonadesertrat

Yes, I was on a business trip to Albuquerque earlier this week, and spent a Washington dollar coin in the hotel gift shop. This prompted a ten-minute conversation about modern coins, including silver dimes & quarters, statehood quarters, and Presidential dollar coins, which the clerk would occasionally receive from customers. She routinely bought them from the cash register and saved them. She also remarked that a number of her customers told her that they didn't like any of the dollar coins (Ikes, SBAs, Sacs, Presidents).

MORGANHUNTER2

I wish they would change the SIZE of the new coins.

way to close in size to a quarter- and some nut tried to give me 3 Suzies for change out of a buck! When I showed him the difference - he just said - Oh! no wonder why I am always short at the end of my shift!

I know I should have kept my mouth shut- but I'm an honest person- I don't need to rip anyone off for a few measly bucks.

If it were a few million......maybe...

fishcooker

Does it indicate the dollar coins may eventually circulate

No.

Julio

Plastic circulates better. jmo. jws

57loaded

it still does not exist (public awareness) to a degree of acceptance beyond curiosity.

Sitmore

The program is over


According to my bank, Huntington Bank in Dublin, Ohio, the federal reserve required, demanded purchases of the first two presidential coinS. The Banks were forced to purchase the rolls. On the third release, the Fed stop such demands. My bank told me that they stopped purchasing the presidential coins after the "Adams" release because they were not forced to purchase them.


IT'S ALL OVER

sumnom

The size argument doesn't hold water. Nickels and cents are quite similar but no one has any trouble with those. The SBA and quarter are very similar looking but the golden dollars do not resemble quarters. The color, smooth edge, large rim, and very different design make the dollars eaily distinguishable from quarters. I have from time to time mistaken an SBA for a quarter but this has never happened with a Sac or pres dollar.

pmac

Many of us have used the $1 coins for such purchases. I've encountered no resistance as far as accepting them. As stated earlier in this thread, they do get comments and are usually statched up by a would-be collector. Maybe this will spur some interest beyond the state-hood quarters. I also agree that they will remain a novelty until $1 currency is abolished. Personally, I don't think three or four dollar coins will weigh me down. That's the usual amount of one's that I carry.

drkilmer

I use the dollar coins all the time. I like them and I will continue to use them. There are any number of old curmudgeons who repeat the mantra that they will fail to be accepted by the public and are doomed to failure. These people bore me. I don't over analyze it, I just do what I want.

While on the subject of modern dollar coins, here's an interesting thing I realized the other day. All of the modern dollar coin designs, starting with the Ike dollar, have been signed into law by Republican presidents. I don't know what it means, but it is interesting. Ike was signed into law by Nixon. Susan B. Anthony was under Reagan. And the modern coinage is of course under Bush.

Barbercoin

I feel guilty. I haven't spent a single one.

I should.

sumnom

While on the subject of modern dollar coins, here's an interesting thing I realized the other day. All of the modern dollar coin designs, starting with the Ike dollar, have been signed into law by Republican presidents. I don't know what it means, but it is interesting. Ike was signed into law by Nixon. Susan B. Anthony was under Reagan. And the modern coinage is of course under Bush.

The SBA came out during the Carter administration and the Sac during the Clinton administration.

drkilmer

Hah! You are so right! I stand corrected ... I am a product of public education, afterall. Thanks for the correction. DOH!

sumnom

You may recall that some wags called the SBA the "Carter Quarter."

Eastwood4450

I used a combination of bills, dollar coins, and halves to pay for a meal. The waitress said she saves all the halves and 2 dollar bills that she gets from work. She made no mention of the dollar coins. I spend the dollar coins all over the place and haven't had any trouble to speak of yet.

sumnom

The only times dollar coin transactions don't go so well is when I use SBAs. Sometimes people really have to look carefully. The Sacs and Pres dollars work just fine.