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Why coin collectors drink
Barry
Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
The other day, we went to a semi-fast food place after a movie - one of those restaurants where you order at the counter, they give you a number to put on your table, and your food is brought over a few minutes later.
Anyway, I paid with a few Kennedy halves I had laying around.
The girl looked at them, then said to her manager, "Are these legal here?"
Manager: "Turn it over. It says 'United States of America' and '50 cents.'"
Girl: "Oh. I've never seen one before. I thought maybe they were Canadian."
Next time, a few $2 bills are in order
Anyway, I paid with a few Kennedy halves I had laying around.
The girl looked at them, then said to her manager, "Are these legal here?"
Manager: "Turn it over. It says 'United States of America' and '50 cents.'"
Girl: "Oh. I've never seen one before. I thought maybe they were Canadian."
Next time, a few $2 bills are in order
0
Comments
<< <i>I've been to Canada, the UK and Australia where 50 cent, 2 dollar and pound coins circulate no problem. I have no idea why Americans are so against using halves, dollars, and $2 bills. Even $50s and $100s are getting to the point that only the banks will take them. >>
I will take $50 and $100 at my business all day long!!!!!!!
<< <i>
Next time, a few $2 bills are in order
Dont forget the Ikes!
to think she had trouble with a kennedy
could you imagine plopping down...2 half centers..or a 2 or 3 cent... or a half dime coupled with a 20 cent...lord forbid a 1883 no cents nickel
<< <i>The other day, we went to a semi-fast food place after a movie - one of those restaurants where you order at the counter, they give you a number to put on your table, and your food is brought over a few minutes later.
Anyway, I paid with a few Kennedy halves I had laying around.
The girl looked at them, then said to her manager, "Are these legal here?"
Manager: "Turn it over. It says 'United States of America' and '50 cents.'"
Girl: "Oh. I've never seen one before. I thought maybe they were Canadian."
Next time, a few $2 bills are in order
you have Kennedy halves that say "50 cents" on the back? All of mine say "HALF DOLLAR"
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>
you have Kennedy halves that say "50 cents" on the back? All of mine say "HALF DOLLAR"
Barry needs his eyes examined by a good optometrist.
<< <i>you have Kennedy halves that say "50 cents" on the back? All of mine say "HALF DOLLAR"
Note that I didn't say that. The manager did.
I've been to Canada, the UK and Australia where 50 cent, 2 dollar and pound coins circulate no problem. I have no idea why Americans are so against using halves, dollars, and $2 bills.
It doesn't take a think tank to figure out the problems:
1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills).
2. Dollar coins will only succeed if the rag dollar is withdrawn. I guess Crane & Co is bribing, er donating to, too many politicians, especially John Kerry, for that to happen.
<< <i>1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills). >>
I have heard that half dollars used to circulate before the JFK half was released.
If true, it seems strange that they were not too big then, but are too big now.
<< <i>
<< <i>1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills). >>
I have heard that half dollars used to circulate before the JFK half was released.
If true, it seems strange that they were not too big then, but are too big now. >>
True....but 50 cents isn't worth today as it much as it was back then..for example..based on an inflation calculator in 1950 if you bought an item for $1.00...that same item today would cost about $9.50. Compare that to carrying 2 half dollars back then to 19 half dollars today
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills). >>
I have heard that half dollars used to circulate before the JFK half was released.
If true, it seems strange that they were not too big then, but are too big now. >>
True....but 50 cents isn't worth today as it much as it was back then..for example..based on an inflation calculator in 1950 if you bought an item for $1.00...that same item today would cost about $9.50. Compare that to carrying 2 half dollars back then to 19 half dollars today >>
What's that have to do with anything? Quarters are wildly popular (WAY more popular than a half dollar) and they're worth even less...
familiar with them, its not like there all over the place in circ.....
if it was a SAC, or a prez, i imagine they would recognise em, more than a kennedy or Ike......
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills). >>
I have heard that half dollars used to circulate before the JFK half was released.
If true, it seems strange that they were not too big then, but are too big now. >>
True....but 50 cents isn't worth today as it much as it was back then..for example..based on an inflation calculator in 1950 if you bought an item for $1.00...that same item today would cost about $9.50. Compare that to carrying 2 half dollars back then to 19 half dollars today >>
What's that have to do with anything? Quarters are wildly popular (WAY more popular than a half dollar) and they're worth even less... >>
People don't like to carry around bulky stuff. Quarters are smaller...tollways take them, vending machines take them, washer/dryer machines take them, etc etc. What nowadays takes half dollars? A person who thinks they're Canadian currency so they have to ask the manager?
I've been to Canada, the UK and Australia where 50 cent, 2 dollar and pound coins circulate no problem. I have no idea why Americans are so against using halves, dollars, and $2 bills.
It doesn't take a think tank to figure out the problems:
1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills).
2. Dollar coins will only succeed if the rag dollar is withdrawn. I guess Crane & Co is bribing, er donating to, too many politicians, especially John Kerry, for that to happen. >>
Other countries 50 cent pieces are of a similar size... I dont think the weight is the issue...
2 - I agree that we need to cut the paper dollar to truly see success and acceptance with the dollar coin.
The cent and paper lobbies are strong...
<< <i>cant really blame a young server for not being
familiar with them, its not like there all over the place in circ.....
if it was a SAC, or a prez, i imagine they would recognise em, more than a kennedy or Ike...... >>
Bingo!
Kennedy halves haven't readily circulated.. well, not in my lifetime and I'm 37.
I go on another board, one for traditional hot rods and Custom cars. Sometimes those guys will get upset that the local AutoZone doesn't know what an Edsel is.
<< <i>$50's aren't needed? Are you kidding? It takes a whole pile of $20's to buy anything. >>
That's what $100's are for, or plastic.
<< <i>Kennedy halves haven't readily circulated.. well, not in my lifetime and I'm 37. >>
used to see them sometimes in the 70s
(I heard)
<< <i>Quarters are smaller... >>
Not two of them. Two quarters have exactly the same volume and take up exactly the same space as one half dollar.
<< <i>
<< <i>cant really blame a young server for not being
familiar with them, its not like there all over the place in circ.....
if it was a SAC, or a prez, i imagine they would recognise em, more than a kennedy or Ike...... >>
Bingo!
Kennedy halves haven't readily circulated.. well, not in my lifetime and I'm 37.
. >>
Yep, I blame the Kennedy for killing the circulating half dollar, it made the Franklin half obsolete, became a collector's item in it's own right, and then they took most of the silver out and then all the rest of the silver out, and since, most circulate if at all, with very low velocity (get spent once, then put in a coffee can or junk drawer for another decade..) Plus, all this happened as coin operated machines became more prevalent, and not many (if any) will take a half dollar (or a penny) but all new ones take both paper and coin dollars, as well as the usual nickels, dimes, and quarters (but never pennies)
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I've had a few casiers questions them but I just told them
that they are Canadian State Quarters
Steve
I get them regularly in the casino. Some places I play pay a blackjack (those that still pay 3:2
<< <i>cant really blame a young server for not being
familiar with them, its not like there all over the place in circ..... >>
They are in my town!
Jim
Amat Colligendo Focum
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Of course, what good are those coin designs and inscriptions when a cashier can't be bothered to read them to learn the value of a coin? Perhaps next time you should try paying with pile of washers or checkers just to see what happens?
So they are very careful about accepting strange coins or bills, even if legitimate.
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<< <i>
<< <i>you have Kennedy halves that say "50 cents" on the back? All of mine say "HALF DOLLAR"
Note that I didn't say that. The manager did.
I've been to Canada, the UK and Australia where 50 cent, 2 dollar and pound coins circulate no problem. I have no idea why Americans are so against using halves, dollars, and $2 bills.
It doesn't take a think tank to figure out the problems:
1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills).
2. Dollar coins will only succeed if the rag dollar is withdrawn. I guess Crane & Co is bribing, er donating to, too many politicians, especially John Kerry, for that to happen. >>
I spent nearly 10 years in Australia, and here's my input...
The Australians don't have a problem with large coins circulating. Their 50 cent is not only larger in diameter (12 sided, but has a larger PCD) it is also thicker than our 50 cent. They circulate as much as any other coin. Also, the 20 cent is nearly as large as the US 50 cent.
Interestingly enough, the $2 is smaller than the $1, both of which are some of the most common coins found in change. The 5 cent is the smallest denomination coin (all amounts are rounded to the nearest 5 cents) and the $5 note is the smallest denomination of the notes. It all seems to work quite well.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
<< <i>
<< <i>
1. Kennedy halves are too big and heavy for daily commerce, and it's a denomination that's really not needed (like $2 and $50 bills). >>
I think it's more just habit. I can remember when half dollars were as common as quarters in change; all that changed in 1964 with the popularity of the Kennedy half dollar and the elimination, in 65, of most silver in coinage. Younger collectors would be surprised at the venom that was heaped on coin collectors by the Mint in those days for their "hoarding" (guess the Mint hadn't heard of Gresham's law...)
The death of the half dollar was caused, ironically, by the popularity of the design.
<< <i>Clerks are warned that if they take foreign money, it will come out of their salary.
So they are very careful about accepting strange coins or bills, even if legitimate.
Sez who?