NEW $5 Bill

[joeshell383]

New $5 Bill Debuts During 'Wi-5' Event

First-Ever 'Digital Unveiling' of a Redesigned Bill Introduction Scheduled
for Early 2008

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. government
today digitally unveiled a new, more secure design for the $5 bill that
will be issued and enter circulation in early 2008. A new $100 bill will
follow. This is the first time in history that U.S. paper money has ever
been unveiled entirely online.
Similar to recently redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills, the new $5 bill
incorporates improved, easy-to-use security features, making it easier for
businesses and consumers to check the new $5 bills they receive and more
difficult for counterfeiters to fake.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Five_Bill_Obverse_2005_Series.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dd/Five_dollar_note_series_2005_reverse.jpg

Full Press Release (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-20-2007/0004666722&EDATE)

Official Government Site (http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/new5)

[Chundles]

Early next year the new $5 bill will go into circulation.

http://www.nbc11.com/2007/0920/14161065_240X180.jpg

Official Gov. Site (http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/new5)

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

[IJ Reilly]

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

So do I. Please send me some.

[puckhead193]

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

me 3. If i remember correctly, the bills are made from plastic right so when you go surfing it doesn't get ruined (or that's what i was told when i was there)

[Chundles]

me 3. If i remember correctly, the bills are made from plastic right so when you go surfing it doesn't get ruined (or that's what i was told when i was there)

Yep, and you can't rip them either.

[EricNau]

I really like the design of the new bills:
- Still basically green with a different hue to each denomination.
- The colored background images on the front
- Improved security features
- All bills the same size

So far, we've been able to keep our traditional "greenbacks," while enhancing the overall look and security.

That said, it takes our completely inept treasury so long to design and rollout these new designs that there are now inconsistencies between the first denomination in the new series ($20, released 2003) and the new $5. It's absolutely stupid. Why would it be so hard to release the entire set at the same time, ensuring a nice, consistent series? ...But I suppose these minute details are negligible when you consider the fact that we now have three completely different series designs currently in production (the most recent series, as demonstrated by the new $5; the former series, still represented by the $100; and the series before that - the $1, with absolutely no plans to ever update it).

Plus, all former designs are still excepted a full face value. If I'm going to counterfeit money, I'll just forge the old bills, thus bypassing all of the new security features.

And don't even get me started on our $1 coins. ...Our treasury can take such a wonderful idea and then demonstrate, by example, every way in which you should not make a $1 coin.

[joeshell383]

Could they make the 5 any bigger?

According to an article I found...

"We wanted this redesigned bill to scream, 'I am a five. I am a five,'" Larry Felix, director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing said in an interview with The Associated Press

I guess they achieved their goal.

[yg17]

Why can't we have some cool looking colorful bills, like the Euro for example?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/Euro_banknotes.png

The Canadian bills don't look too shabby either:
http://www.biocrawler.com/w/images/b/bb/Canadian_bills.jpg

Why is our currency so fugly? If they can no longer make the US Dollar worth anything, can't they at least make it pretty? :p

[Kamera RAWr]

The grass is always greener on the other side. There are lots of cool looking currencies out there, but I'm also a great fan of the ole greenback :D

[TheAnswer]

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

Yeah...aussie money is cool looking.

85754

[w_parietti22]

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

Different sizes? "notes"?

huh? :eek:

;):p

[Tumeg101]

Omg I HATE IT! lol...
The only part I REALLY hate, is the purple "5"... looks so cheesy... I really hope they aren't trying to make our money look like those foreign country's money (all colorful, and joyful lol)

[IDANNY]

I like american currency the most easiest to carry around. Maybe Im just used to it. Like the new 5 very nice

[Blue Velvet]

I like american currency the most easiest to carry around.

Unlike other currencies where the bills are obviously carved from stone?

[thejadedmonkey]

That huge *** purple 5 is uglyyy!

If they're going to take away our greenbacks, at least give us something pretty, like the quro (which is also worth something these days ;) )

[ClassicBean]

All this redesigning of American currency won't change the fact that one greenback will be worth $0.60 Canadian in a year's time ;)

[Kardashian]

Why is the Queen (of England) on the Canadian note?

The Aussie note, I guess, fair enough - but the Canadian?

I'm not jealous of her being shared - I don't care - I'm just interested as to why..

[Blue Velvet]

Why is the Queen (of England) on the Canadian note?

A federation now comprising ten provinces and three territories, Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada

[Kardashian]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada

How the hell is she the Queen of so many countries?

I knew she was the Queen of our home, and Aussie land.. but, but..

"In addition to the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II is also Queen of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis"

[Iscariot]

How the hell is she the Queen of so many countries?

I knew she was the Queen of our home, and Aussie land.. but, but..

"In addition to the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II is also Queen of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis"

They had a little "empire" back at the turn of the last century. They were involved in a couple of little skirmishes you may have heard of :3

[evilgEEk]

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

I don't really care about colors, it's not like it's a fashion statement, it's cash.

But I will say that different sized notes would just annoy me to no end.

[LizKat]

I like american currency the most easiest to carry around. Maybe Im just used to it. Like the new 5 very nice

The "currency" most carried around in USA seems to be the plastic card.

[nbs2]

But I will say that different sized notes would just annoy me to no end.

Same here.

I'm also not a fan of the large five.

[Ja Di ksw]

Nasty, nasty bill. The huge 5 in the corner is overkill, as if we can't read the other large 5's in the other three corners, and does not match at all. The US does not get that the purpose to bills having different colors is so you can easily see how much you have. With still green bills but some funky tint, you still have to flip through them to see what each bill is.

Such a horrible design.

[kwajo.com]

I don't really care about colors, it's not like it's a fashion statement, it's cash.

But I will say that different sized notes would just annoy me to no end.

The size differences really aren't very annoying in use. We have that system here in Canada, and most people don't even notice.


Personally, I've always been partial to Newfoundland money...
http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/NewFoundland/NewfoundlandPA14b-1Dollar-1920_f-donatedtk.jpg
http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/NewFoundland/NewfoundlandPA14b-1Dollar-1920_b-donatedtk.jpg
:p

[Moof1904]

I find different sized bills profoundly annoying. There's no way to conveniently fold a stack of differently sized bills that doesn't cause the smaller ones to squirm about and become misaligned and drop to the ground when flipping through a stack of bills.

Whatever other criticisms I may weigh against our currency, I'm glad they're all the same size.

[weckart]

But I will say that different sized notes would just annoy me to no end.

Let's hope you never develop problems with your vision.

There is a reason most countries vary the size of their banknotes.

[Chundles]

Let's hope you never develop problems with your vision.

There is a reason most countries vary the size of their banknotes.

Ding Ding Ding. We have a winner.

We have an increase of 7mm from one denomination to the next highest one to allow vision-impaired people to be able to tell what they're handing over.

[j26]

I don't really care about colors, it's not like it's a fashion statement, it's cash.

But I will say that different sized notes would just annoy me to no end.

They would annoy you less if you were blind.

Edit: Beaten to it..

[Lau]

Let's hope you never develop problems with your vision.

There is a reason most countries vary the size of their banknotes.

Exactly – and have things like oversized numbers and different colours. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to be partially sighted in the US and to negotiate cash.

[Tom B.]

Maybe I'm biased, but these are my favourite notes:

http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/information/pound-note.jpg

But we do need a new £50 and I don't like the new £20 (not pictured). It looks like an M&S voucher. :)

Anyway, the new $5 is an improvement on the old one.

[guifa]

The new five is certainly better than the 10. I really don't understand why they would release a note that looks like someone took a piss on it before it left the treasury. Also, I agree with previous posters, differently sized bills are a Good Thing™. There was a lawsuit against the treasury department because if you're completely blind you can't tell the difference, and the judge ruled against the treasury, but apparently they don't have to do anything because to make things right would cost too much :\

[CalBoy]

Same here.

I'm also not a fan of the large five.

Agreed (on both counts).

Unlike other currencies where the bills are obviously carved from stone?

Well they don't call it a pound for nothing;):p

me 3. If i remember correctly, the bills are made from plastic right so when you go surfing it doesn't get ruined (or that's what i was told when i was there)
Plastic? I don't know. What's wrong with good old fashioned cotton?:p

[aLoC]

I hate the big purple 5.
If visually impaired people need something big they can learn the faces. Don't make the currency ugly for everyone just because of a few.

[kbrain2929]

The purple 5 has got to go! :apple:

[dejo]

Why is the Queen (of England) on the Canadian note?

It's actually Helen Mirren! ;)

[Lau]

I hate the big purple 5.
If visually impaired people need something big they can learn the faces. Don't make the currency ugly for everyone just because of a few.

Yeah, those blind folk should just shape up and look a bit harder, eh? And those people in wheelchairs should just learn to bump up steps, because those ramps make buildings look cluttered.

[brad.c]

If it buys me my pint of Keith's, it's beautiful to me.

[GeeYouEye]

Great. The Fed fushes the dollar's value down the toilet, so the Treasury says "ooh look, something shiny!"

[mcarnes]

Prince is really going to dig that big purple 5.

[CalBoy]

Great. The Fed fushes the dollar's value down the toilet, so the Treasury says "ooh look, something shiny!"

I'm sorry, but how did the Fed flush the dollar's value down the toilet? Are you talking about the design, because that isn't a Fed decision; that decision is made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. If you mean our current economic situation, blame realtors who falsified their clients' earnings just so they could qualify for a home:mad:

[adk]

I really hate the varying colors in the background of all of the new bills. Instead of color, I wonder if it would be possible to throw a hologram onto the bill like the canadian ones (are they made out of a paper/linen product or something else? I can't seem to remember). While we're at it, maybe we could put braille denominations on the holo strip too - it would appease both the "we're blind!" crowd and the "we like our money the same size!" crowd.

[CalBoy]

I really hate the varying colors in the background of all of the new bills. Instead of color, I wonder if it would be possible to throw a hologram onto the bill like the canadian ones (are they made out of a paper/linen product or something else? I can't seem to remember). While we're at it, maybe we could put braille denominations on the holo strip too - it would appease both the "we're blind!" crowd and the "we like our money the same size!" crowd.

I am a fan of this idea. I think braille is the way to go.

However, I don't like holograms as much. For some reason, watermarks are just "classier":p

[overanalyzer]

Personally, I hardly ever use cash any more, so I don't think it even matters that much.... But my tendencies towards OCD make me wish the redesigns were more consistent with each other.

[CalBoy]

Personally, I hardly ever use cash any more, so I don't think it even matters that much.... But my tendencies towards OCD make me wish the redesigns were more consistent with each other.

I'm not a fan of cash either (too risky, dirty, and primitive). I also liked the look of US currency before these redesigns started. The 20 esspecially gets to me. They just seem kind of...gay.

[adk]

I am a fan of this idea. I think braille is the way to go.

However, I don't like holograms as much. For some reason, watermarks are just "classier":p

I'm pretty sure the holograms are tougher to fake, and I think it would also be necessary for the braille because if it was just imprinted into the paper itself I could see the braille wearing out after being passed through vending machines and such.


EDIT: Hell, why not both?

[CalBoy]

I'm pretty sure the holograms are tougher to fake, and I think it would also be necessary for the braille because if it was just imprinted into the paper itself I could see the braille wearing out after being passed through vending machines and such.


Well, the Braille could be imprinted on the narrow edges only, with a small amount of plastic inbetween the fibers of the cotton. That should help prevent wear, and in any case, the $1 bill only has a cirulation life of about a year and a half. The Braille would probably outlast the note itself:eek:;)

[Cassie]

the $1 bill only has a cirulation life of about a year and a half. The Braille would probably outlast the note itself:eek:;)

Not the one sitting in the back of my closet.:p

[CalBoy]

Not the one sitting in the back of my closet.:p

I don't even want to know what's in there:eek::eek::eek:

[Marble]

While I think the Euro is very fine and sensible, the rich corinthian quality of the dollar is what I think makes it distinctive. Pushing the faces around and cleaning up some of the embellishing designs, and possibly even adding huge purple nomenclature, may all be very practical, but the mysteriousness and the personality of the earlier bills is diminished.

[freebooter]

USA money is boring, not ugly, just boring. So easy to counterfeit, too.

I'm in Korea and the money is really boring here, too. And the biggest bill that commonly circulates is 10,000 won, which is about $10. And few places take debit cards. So, to buy anything expensive without a credit card you have to carry a sack of money. It's kind of good. You appreciate the cost of something more when it takes you a few minutes to count out the cash.

http://xray.sai.msu.ru/~mystery/images/money/Korea/korea.10000won.jpg

[andrewheard]

Ding Ding Ding. We have a winner.

We have an increase of 7mm from one denomination to the next highest one to allow vision-impaired people to be able to tell what they're handing over.

Canadian money has braille for the blind. That's even better.

[Gaelic1]

The only problem with this $5 bill is that it is worth just about as much as the old Buffalo Nickel!

[webgoat]

USA money is boring, not ugly, just boring. So easy to counterfeit, too.http://xray.sai.msu.ru/~mystery/images/money/Korea/korea.10000won.jpg

care to elaborate on this? the best counterfeited $100 bills are the so-called supernotes from north korea which have the complete financial backing of a government and even they are detectable... are you speaking from experience?

[gkarris]

Why can't we have some cool looking colorful bills, like the Euro for example?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/Euro_banknotes.png

The Canadian bills don't look too shabby either:
http://www.biocrawler.com/w/images/b/bb/Canadian_bills.jpg

Why is our currency so fugly? If they can no longer make the US Dollar worth anything, can't they at least make it pretty? :p

Actually, making US bills different colors was proposed (the $1 bill was going to be the same traditional green one though). I think $5 was going to be blue, $10 red, etc. The article I saw with the proposed bills looked REALLY cool. But the Treasury decided against it because that would mean they would have to keep a storehouse of many different colored inks/presses and that would be "too expensive".

[Virgil-TB2]

I am a fan of this idea. I think braille is the way to go.

However, I don't like holograms as much. For some reason, watermarks are just "classier":pCanadian bills are made of paper like the US ones and they all have braille (just the denomination) on the bill.

I think the new US one might have braille already as most modern bills in most countries do. Pretty dumb if they didn't add it as it's trivial to do and it helps out a larger group of people than you would think.

[Unspeaked]

Physical currency is only going to be used less and less as the years pass - probably not at all by the time we hit 2025 or so - why invest so much time to fight a losing battle against counterfeiting? Especially when you have currency that's worth less and less on the world market, and will probably be less desirable to try and copy, anyway?

I read through this thread without looking at the bill, and was expecting it to be radically different and totally ugly. When I actually clicked on the link describing the bill, it wasn't bad at all - it looks almost the same except for that huge 5 (which is ugly, I'll admit) but I can see it helping people who have trouble telling apart the crazy, serif numbers on the back now, and the color may be useful, as well.

Remember - Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover is the official currency of the United States.

[RichP]

USA money is boring, not ugly, just boring. So easy to counterfeit, too.

I'm in Korea and the money is really boring here, too. And the biggest bill that commonly circulates is 10,000 won, which is about $10. And few places take debit cards. So, to buy anything expensive without a credit card you have to carry a sack of money. It's kind of good. You appreciate the cost of something more when it takes you a few minutes to count out the cash.

http://xray.sai.msu.ru/~mystery/images/money/Korea/korea.10000won.jpg

I was there two years ago, exchanged the equivalent of $800 USD (some of it was japanese yen) and the woman fired up a counting machine. I was like..ummm..ok. Needless to say it looked like an impressive amount of money!

[Lau]

I was going to say that those of you that think the big "5" is a waste of time should totally defocus your eyes and see whether you can pick out the difference between bills, but then I realised Photoshop can do it for you. ;)

This is what it looks like from a distance without my glasses, so I'd imagine it's at least this difficult up close for partially sighted people.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8396/notesyl7.jpg

Now do you see why a big clear number like that helps a lot of people out?

[wonga1127]

I was going to say that those of you that think the big "5" is a waste of time should totally defocus your eyes and see whether you can pick out the difference between bills, but then I realised Photoshop can do it for you. ;)

This is what it looks like from a distance without my glasses, so I'd imagine it's at least this difficult up close for partially sighted people.

[snip]

Now do you see why a big clear number like that helps a lot of people out?
Yeah but I can also see Lincoln on the front.

[Lau]

Yeah but I can also see Lincoln on the front.

I can see what you mean – I'm not so familiar with US Presidents as you would be, but I know I could say the same about UK notes, that I'd recognise the shapes of the castles on the Scottish notes, for example. But if you were partially sighted, the blurry shapes of faces might be a hell of a lot harder to make out. Here's the same treatment to Euros and US dollars:

86511 86512
Click for full size

Although I think the Euros could be improved by having a bit more contrast behind the large numbers to make them stand out, they have the advantage of very different colours, different sizes and large numbers to make them readable. I can see how keeping the history is important and how that large number does clash with the design, but I am inclined to say that the countries who have redesigned their notes in a more modern way have got a great new design to be proud of and have managed to incorporate ways to make them more accessible at the same time, which means everybody wins. You can't hold on to tradition forever.

[EricNau]

Yes, I definitely see the point the gigantic "5" on the back, but then shouldn't all of our bills have a number that large?

...I guess blind people will only pay with fives. :rolleyes:

[Scarlet Fever]

...I guess blind people will only pay with fives. :rolleyes:

i'd hate to be the person at the desk who has to receive the payments for the eye surgery.

[amd4me]

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.
Wait i thought they were all the same size?
I lvoe the new canadian money it's awesome.

[Macaddicttt]

Yes, I definitely see the point the gigantic "5" on the back, but then shouldn't all of our bills have a number that large?

...I guess blind people will only pay with fives. :rolleyes:

Well, so far only the $1 and old $5 don't have a gigantic number on the back...

[EricNau]

Well, so far only the $1 and old $5 don't have a gigantic number on the back...
Look closer, the gigantic 5 is much larger than any number on any other bill.

[eric55lv]

i think that looks the same as the one right now thats being used :mad::mad:

[Rodimus Prime]

Physical currency is only going to be used less and less as the years pass - probably not at all by the time we hit 2025 or so - why invest so much time to fight a losing battle against counterfeiting? Especially when you have currency that's worth less and less on the world market, and will probably be less desirable to try and copy, anyway?

I read through this thread without looking at the bill, and was expecting it to be radically different and totally ugly. When I actually clicked on the link describing the bill, it wasn't bad at all - it looks almost the same except for that huge 5 (which is ugly, I'll admit) but I can see it helping people who have trouble telling apart the crazy, serif numbers on the back now, and the color may be useful, as well.

Remember - Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover is the official currency of the United States.

I really do not think cash is going to go any where in our life time. Yeah it will get used less and less but never go away. There are just way to many things that cash can not replace by.

For example paying back or loaning a friend some money. Also a great way to budget for some stuff. When the cash is gone it is gone and paying for mall items. I tend to like to carry about 20 bucks on me so I have it when I need it.

As for the new bill I fine with it and I see logic in not doing them all at one time. It makes them harder to confitefit because one can not use what they learn on one bill to work on another and doing this every few years is the way to go. I also think that the 1 dollar bill needs to be done away with and replaced with a coin. Our wallets would just need a minor redesign in them to hold a few 1 dollar coins along with the cash.

[CalBoy]

I really do not think cash is going to go any where in our life time. Yeah it will get used less and less but never go away. There are just way to many things that cash can not replace by.

For example paying back or loaning a friend some money. Also a great way to budget for some stuff. When the cash is gone it is gone and paying for mall items. I tend to like to carry about 20 bucks on me so I have it when I need it.

I agree that paper currency isn't going to disappear completely, but it isn't going to be nearly as important as it was twenty+ years ago. When dealing with your friends and family, cash is the way to go. Not to mention the fact that drug lords will still want it around (which might be a better reason to eliminate paper currency to an even greater degree).

On a side note, cash isn't just paper currency, it is any money that is liquid and ready to be transfered. A checking account with a debit card or checks is an example of money that can be used as "cash."

[joeshell383]

For example paying back or loaning a friend some money. Also a great way to budget for some stuff. When the cash is gone it is gone and paying for mall items. I tend to like to carry about 20 bucks on me so I have it when I need it.


Ever heard of Revolution Money Exchange? https://www.revolutionmoneyexchange.com/

I do believe that two societal standbys, the United States Postal Service and physical currency, will become extinct within the next 25-75 years.

[ntrigue]

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

I love the Aussie Dollar!

[juanm]

I'm in Korea and the money is really boring here, too. And few places take debit cards.


Funny. A friend of mine got his credit card hacked/copied (probably while he was in Bali) and a few months later, he got a phone call from his banker asking if he was actually buying $10000 worth of jewels or if he could cancel the operation! Maybe that's why few places take credit cards! :p

[benlangdon]

Why can't we have some cool looking colorful bills, like the Euro for example?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/Euro_banknotes.png


seriously?
those look like monopoly money

[Blue Velvet]

seriously?
those look like monopoly money


Amongst other reasons, they're designed for easier visibility for partially-sighted people and just checking now, I note that this 'monopoly' money is worth about 50% more than the US dollar. ;)

[benlangdon]

Amongst other reasons, they're designed for easier visibility for partially-sighted people and just checking now, I note that this 'monopoly' money is worth about 50% more than the US dollar. ;)

no its not.
what the hell are you talking about?
its monopoly money are you freaking kidding me?
















its 75%

[GSMiller]

Ah...The design of our money doesn't really bother me that much. I use more time spending it than sitting around staring at it.

[jaw04005]

blame realtors who falsified their clients' earnings just so they could qualify for a home:mad:

I think you mean mortgage lenders. Real estate agents/Realtors have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not their clients qualify for a home. They're an intermediary between someone wanting to sell a home and someone wanting to purchase a home, that's it.

If you're going to place blame for the mortgage crisis on a specific job segment, you should get at least pick the right segment.


http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/glossary/glossary_r.htm

Mortgage Lender - The lender providing funds for a mortgage. Lenders also manage the credit and financial information review, the property and the loan application process through closing.

Real Estate Agent - An individual who is licensed to negotiate and arrange real estate sales; works for a real estate broker.

Realtor - A real estate agent or broker who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and its local and state associations.

[CalBoy]

I think you mean mortgage lenders.

No, I meant realtors.

At least in our local papers, there were several stories which found that realtors were falsifying records for clients who didn't have high English proficiency. While helping them fill out paperwork, realtors frequently told their clients to state a higher income in order to qualify for the loan. The realtor gets the sale, and the lender is shafted 6-12 months later when the buyer can't make payments anymore.

I'm perfectly aware of real estate terminology.

[wwooden]

Looks ok to me, I honestly don't really care that much about how our money looks. I rarely have more than $40 on me, most of the time it is usually less than $10. I use the "card" for everything.

It's actually an inconvenience for me to get cash because I have my paycheck direct deposit so I never go to the bank. Also, you can get rewards with credit cards, just gotta make sure you pay it off each month.

Anyone see that dateline story about a month ago where they talked about how the penny cost 2cents to make? That and nickel I think actually cost us money to make, the rest are significantly less money than their face value. I personally don't see why we don't get rid of the penny and just round everything to the nickel.

[Gasu E.]

Why can't we have some cool looking colorful bills, like the Euro for example?



We DO have cool-looking colorful money, except it has little silhouettes of railroad engines and houses on it.

http://www.jonco48.com/blog/monopoly_20money.jpg

[ntrigue]

Take a peek at the new $10 Bill. The backside can only be described as 'unfinished'. I suggest that the US Treasury is responding to counterfeit rinks as quickly as possible at the expense (excuse the pun) of poorly designed bills.

[Stampyhead]

Amongst other reasons, they're designed for easier visibility for partially-sighted people and just checking now, I note that this 'monopoly' money is worth about 50% more than the US dollar. ;)

Ha ha ha, pwned! Sadly your wry humor (and the realities of the Forex market) was lost on our friend benlangdon...

[iJesus]

I actually digg Mexican bills.
They're made out of plastic so they don't rip easily and they don't get a soggy and wet.
Also, they have nice little transparent spots on them with gold line thingies running through the clear part.

[astrostu]

Anyone see that dateline story about a month ago where they talked about how the penny cost 2cents to make? That and nickel I think actually cost us money to make, the rest are significantly less money than their face value. I personally don't see why we don't get rid of the penny and just round everything to the nickel.

It's because of copper, zinc, and nickel mining interests. Plus the congressional delegation from Illinois. If you think I'm joking, I'm not. It's really obnoxious that they help bankrupt the government when these are over-priced coins to keep a few people in jobs. Same thing goes for $1 bills, which, though still cheaper to make than their face value, last 14-18 months and are much more expensive to make over the lifetime of 30-40 years for a dollar coin. :mad:

[benlangdon]

It's because of copper, zinc, and nickel mining interests. Plus the congressional delegation from Illinois. If you think I'm joking, I'm not. It's really obnoxious that they help bankrupt the government when these are over-priced coins to keep a few people in jobs. Same thing goes for $1 bills, which, though still cheaper to make than their face value, last 14-18 months and are much more expensive to make over the lifetime of 30-40 years for a dollar coin. :mad:

ya but honestly dollor coins are annoying.
they don't work in machins
and if you have a bunch of them there heavy and your more likely to loose them

[astrostu]

ya but honestly dollor coins are annoying.
they don't work in machins
and if you have a bunch of them there heavy and your more likely to loose them

Dollar coins work in many machines, even if they don't say they do. Especially vending machines.

Almost every developed country no longer produces their base currency (e.g., the dollar, the euro, etc.) in bill-form, but rather they do it in coin form. Saves hundreds of millions of dollars a year, and most people from those countries like it better. You just have to get used to it, which Americans aren't willing to do. In many places (like Canada, Great Britain), it was forced upon the populace, and they adapted quickly. Americans are just unwilling to do it.

[Aeolius]

The more they change the currency, the harder it is to create new presidents:
http://www.aeolius.com/money/images/jacksoln.jpg
( more at http://www.aeolius.com/money/ )

[blueflame]

My wallet is already very heavy and full, and I sit on it 10 hours a day, why on EARTH would I want to carry around a pocket full of heavy coins to replace something so thin and light. forget the coins. If anything, replace the nickel dime and quarter with a tiny bill.

Dollar coins work in many machines, even if they don't say they do. Especially vending machines.

Almost every developed country no longer produces their base currency (e.g., the dollar, the euro, etc.) in bill-form, but rather they do it in coin form. Saves hundreds of millions of dollars a year, and most people from those countries like it better. You just have to get used to it, which Americans aren't willing to do. In many places (like Canada, Great Britain), it was forced upon the populace, and they adapted quickly. Americans are just unwilling to do it.

[Aeolius]

Almost every developed country no longer produces their base currency (e.g., the dollar, the euro, etc.) in bill-form, but rather they do it in coin form.

Behold, the new $100 coin:
http://www.pacificworlds.com/yap/visitors/images/money2.jpg

[CalBoy]

Dollar coins work in many machines, even if they don't say they do. Especially vending machines.

It depends on how old the machine is. Since the machines use weight as the primary indicator, it is possible that many older ones haven't been programed for the newer dollar coin.

Almost every developed country no longer produces their base currency (e.g., the dollar, the euro, etc.) in bill-form, but rather they do it in coin form. Saves hundreds of millions of dollars a year,

I call BS. Paper currency is much more cost effective than coins. A dollar bill costs only a few cents to make compared to sevaral cents required to produce metal coins.

Americans are just unwilling to do it.

And for good reason. Coins are heavy, easy to loose, and less practical.

Not that paper is much better in any case. I much prefer my cards thank you very much.

[TEG]

It depends on how old the machine is. Since the machines use weight as the primary indicator, it is possible that many older ones haven't been programed for the newer dollar coin.

The SB/Sacajewea/Presidential Series Dollar coins all weigh the same. Also, all machines now use magnetic signature as the primary indicator (to prevent the use of slugs). There was just a period of time (1989-1996) when Machines just wern't programmed to accept dollar coins.

I call BS. Paper currency is much more cost effective than coins. A dollar bill costs only a few cents to make compared to sevaral cents required to produce metal coins.

In the US, it currently cost $1.40 to create a $1 bill, it cost <$.07 to produce a $1 coin.

And for good reason. Coins are heavy, easy to loose, and less practical.

That is why you start distributing the $2 bill instead, and the $1 coin weighs not much more than a quarter, and I usually keep them in a roll to keep them from going everywhere. Also, the small dollar coins we have now, are much more convient and lighter than the old silver dollar.

I'm always using $1 coins and $2 bills in my life, it just make more sense, plus people always remember you.

TEG

[CalBoy]

The SB/Sacajewea/Presidential Series Dollar coins all weigh the same. Also, all machines now use magnetic signature as the primary indicator (to prevent the use of slugs).

Yes, newer machines, but I said older machines. Older machines will still use the older weight method (and I've seen plenty of old ones around still).

In the US, it currently cost $1.40 to create a $1 bill, it cost <$.07 to produce a $1 coin.

No, it doesn't.


During Fiscal Year 2007, it cost approximately 6.2 cents per note to produce 9.1 billion U.S. paper currency notes.
Given that the $1 note doesn't use as many inks and security technologies, it likely costs less, but 6.2 cents is fine by me. Link (http://www.moneyfactory.gov/document.cfm/18/106)

That is why you start distributing the $2 bill instead,
I like Jefferson and all, but the $2 note is such a waste. It really doesn't add anything new. Is it really that hard to have second $1 bill?

I also personally happen to think that some cashiers would be thoroughly confused by a $2 note when giving change. :p

and the $1 coin weighs not much more than a quarter, and I usually keep them in a roll to keep them from going everywhere.
Actually, a quarter weighs 5.6 grams, while a dollar bill weighs 1 gram. If you had a roll of 20, that would add up to half a pound. And for what?

Much easier to carry around the note in my opinion (or even better, a card ;)).

[Raid]

I call BS. Paper currency is much more cost effective than coins. A dollar bill costs only a few cents to make compared to sevaral cents required to produce metal coins. I don't think your intuition is right in this case, according to this U.S. GAO document. (http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/gg97146t.pdf) Similarly, a 1-dollar coin would be much less costly for the government than the 1-dollar note, as we have reported in the past. Not only is a coin cheaper to produce, it can last in circulation much longer than a paper bill can.

Really I don't get the whole American love affair with the bland green paper bills. When I travel to the states I find it's a pain the butt to pull out the correct amount and make sure you get the right change back (all by looking for the tiny numbers in the corner). Here determining what to pull out to pay or how much you're getting back can be quickly determined by the colour alone.

Canada also went through the coin transitions, and coins aren't all that bad; sure they're a little heavier, but you hardly ever have more than 3 or four on you... and the same applies for our $2 coin. Actually it comes in handy when you think you don't have any money and you pull out enough money for lunch! :)

[SilvorX]

Imagine trying to use this in a store.. yikes, you would need a trolly to carry it! Good luck getting change as well
http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/1/4/6/largest-coin1_48.jpg

[NEiMac]

I personally like Canadian money, ours is so boring compared to there's and the looney rocks. Seems to me actually it might make more sense to get rid of the quarter and make a cool dollar coin, most vending machines seem to be around a dollar now for everything anyways. Maybe redesign a new 50 cent piece too. If we went to a dollar coin and no dollar bill the 2 dollar bill would be useful, do you want two, $2 bills or 4 Dollar coins? THere wouldnt be any confusion either cause the $1 bill would be the oddball.

[Kebabselector]

How the hell is she the Queen of so many countries?

I knew she was the Queen of our home, and Aussie land.. but, but..

Education seems to be going down the shitter in the UK.

[weckart]

Education seems to be going down the shitter in the UK.

Nowt wrong with education - it's the truancy/sleeping in class that results in not knowing how many countries have the Queen as head of state.

[faintember]

Education seems to be going down the shitter in the UK.Hey hey, give the USA credit where credit* is due!

As to the new $5 bill, as long as I hand it to someone and it is considered legal tender then I am fine with it. Heck, if Paris Hilton's face would make the $5 bill worth more, then I would be all for putting her face all over our currency. :p I do tend to dislike the $1 coin pieces as I tend to have a hard time keeping change in my pockets. I hardly ever carry cash anymore because a debit card, IMO, is much easier.

*non-intentional pun

[Rodimus Prime]

while the dollar bill is cheaper to produce than the coin it is not cheaper in the long run. Reason is a dollar bills average life span I believe is only 18 months before it so worn out that it is taken out o circulation. A coin would last much longer.


Personally I like the dollar bill. I hate having change in my pocket and I tend to lose it all the time.

Then again I also hate having more than 4 $1 bills. Not like I carry much cash on me any given day. Most of the time I keep it under 40

[iTeen]

i absolutely hate the design of our bills...and if anybody feels the same way just send them to me and i will dispose of them.

anyway. i want some of the different bills like Euros or something.
and different sizes??? wierd.:rolleyes:

[CalBoy]

Not only is a coin cheaper to produce, it can last in circulation much longer than a paper bill can.

Actually, after looking it up, the cost of production for a dollar coin is 9 cents, however, it has much more longevity (standard 1 dollar bill doesn't last very long), so that's where the savings come in.

Nonetheless, I find coins impractical. I barely tolerate cash as it is. If the government is going to force me to carry around a dollar coin, you can bet your house I'm going to only carry $5 notes and above.

[TimJim]

I can't stand different sized notes in different countries. But i do like the variety in color.

[Spievy]

Next they will no longer make $1 bills. Seriously they will go to coins ONLY.

[Zwhaler]

Cool, but none of it will matter when the dollar disappears and gets replaced by the Amero...

[iJesus]

Cool, but none of it will matter when the dollar disappears and gets replaced by the Amero...

sssshhhhhh, they're not supposed to know...



... yet ;)

[Marble]

I spent four years in Canada and never got used to dollar/two dollar coins. If you wanted to have a handful of dollars for lunch, say, you'd have to carry around several jangling, relatively heavy objects in your pocket. Even worse would be trying to figure out what to do with the stack of actually valuable coins produced by breaking bills.

At least in the 'States I can throw them in a jar and forget about them with good conscience. :D

[astrostu]

Given that the $1 note doesn't use as many inks and security technologies, it likely costs less, but 6.2 cents is fine by me. Link (http://www.moneyfactory.gov/document.cfm/18/106)

Actually, a quarter weighs 5.6 grams, while a dollar bill weighs 1 gram. If you had a roll of 20, that would add up to half a pound. And for what?

As other people have pointed out, per bill is cheaper than per coin, but the coin lasts much longer. I've found coins in circulation from before WWII. So let's say a coin lasts 50 years. At 24¢ (metal costs are 6.8¢ per dollar, but I'm including a - perhaps inflated - manufacturing cost) per $1 coin that lasts 50 years, 33.3 $1 bills would need to be printed. At 6.2¢ per bill, that costs $2.06.7 over the lifetime of the coin, or 8.6x as much.

Also, I often hear this, "If I had a roll of dollar coins in my pocket it'd be too heavy," or, "I don't want tons of change in my pocket." Well, how many $1 bills do you normally carry around? Most people, I would guess, have 5 or less. 5 $1 coins usually will weigh less than your keychain, so really, just suck it up.

[CalBoy]

As other people have pointed out, per bill is cheaper than per coin, but the coin lasts much longer.

Yes, I deferred to this in a previous post:Actually, after looking it up, the cost of production for a dollar coin is 9 cents, however, it has much more longevity (standard 1 dollar bill doesn't last very long), so that's where the savings come in.

Also, I often hear this, "If I had a roll of dollar coins in my pocket it'd be too heavy," or, "I don't want tons of change in my pocket." Well, how many $1 bills do you normally carry around? Most people, I would guess, have 5 or less. 5 $1 coins usually will weigh less than your keychain, so really, just suck it up.

Coins are unnecessarily heavy. At 5.6 times the weight, 5 dollars in coins can be quite cumbersome (it would be 28 grams-or one ounce) in your pocket. I don't want heavy things in my pocket. I try to buy a thinner phone, keep less in my wallet, and rarely ever carry coins with me (goes in my car if I get change most of the time).

Why on earth would I want to keep something 5.6 times heavier in my pocket that has the same purchasing power?

[Consultant]

Different sizes? "notes"?

huh? :eek:

;):p

So that you cannot bleach a $1 and use that to make a $100 bill.

[CalBoy]

So that you cannot bleach a $1 and use that to make a $100 bill.

Not that that would work so simplistically anyhow right? ;)

[Rodimus Prime]

As other people have pointed out, per bill is cheaper than per coin, but the coin lasts much longer. I've found coins in circulation from before WWII. So let's say a coin lasts 50 years. At 24¢ (metal costs are 6.8¢ per dollar, but I'm including a - perhaps inflated - manufacturing cost) per $1 coin that lasts 50 years, 33.3 $1 bills would need to be printed. At 6.2¢ per bill, that costs $2.06.7 over the lifetime of the coin, or 8.6x as much.

Also, I often hear this, "If I had a roll of dollar coins in my pocket it'd be too heavy," or, "I don't want tons of change in my pocket." Well, how many $1 bills do you normally carry around? Most people, I would guess, have 5 or less. 5 $1 coins usually will weigh less than your keychain, so really, just suck it up.

umm that is not a good argument. Coins do not really last that long.

Most of them are pulled out after 20 years at most. I do not see quarters before 1990 that often. Most have been pulled out just because of wear and tear. Dollar coin would be need to be replaced even faster.

It kind of like I do not see dollar bills more than 2-3 years old very often but in my wallet right now I have a dollar bill from 1999. It happens.

I would say a dollar coin would have maybe a 10 year life which is still over 5 times better than the current life.

I just would rather not carry it because I hate having change on me. I really only carry bills then though the change in a jar minus the quarters that I pull out and set aside for laundry.

[astrostu]

umm that is not a good argument. Coins do not really last that long.

Most of them are pulled out after 20 years at most. I do not see quarters before 1990 that often. Most have been pulled out just because of wear and tear. Dollar coin would be need to be replaced even faster.

It kind of like I do not see dollar bills more than 2-3 years old very often but in my wallet right now I have a dollar bill from 1999. It happens.

$1 bills have a half-life of 14-18 months. However, a series generally doesn't get into circulation up to a few years after it is introduced (for example, I'm just starting to see series 2006 $1 bills now).

Quarters are a different issue, as are dimes. With the quarters, the Mint has produced so many more quarters over the last 10 years because of the Statehood Quarter Program® that the old-style ones are almost drowning in the new spaghetti-hairs. But both quarters and dimes prior to 1965 you won't find in circulation because they have silver.

Nickels and cents, however, are more common in the older dates. I'm not saying that there are majority that circulate that long, but a very significant percentage can be found that are several decades old. I don't have numbers because I don't keep track, but when I've searched stacks of bills over the last year or two, I've only once found one that was older than 10 years, out of well over 1000 bills (so less than 0.1%).

Below are the results of searching a regular box of a denomination from the bank that I did in early 2007:


Quarters
pre-1965: 0 (0%)
1965-69: 66 (3.3%)
1970-79: 101 (5.0%) with 10 from 1976
1980-89: 251 (12.4%)
1990-99: 523 (25.8%)
2000-06: 1089 (53.6%)

Breakdown by state quarter years:
1999 - 98
2000 - 142
2001 - 99
2002 - 95
2003 - 64
2004 - 65
2005 - 274
2006 - 350


Dimes
1965-69: 67 (2.7%)
1970-79: 134 (5.3%)
1980-89: 267 (10.7%)
1990-99: 688 (27.5%)
2000-06: 1349 (53.9%)


Nickels
1930s: 1
1940s: 4
1950s: 12
1960s: 70
1970s: 183
1980s: 318
1990s: 667
2000s: 740


Cents
1940-1949: 4 (0.1%)
1950-1959: 16 (0.3%)
1960-1969: 144 (2.8%)
1970-1979: 483 (9.4%)
1980-1989: 941 (18.4%)
1990-1999: 1571 (30.7%)
2000-2006: 1947 (38.0%)

[Rodimus Prime]

I think the real reason why there are so many coins from as of late is not the states but more older coins just wear out. Start looking at them and you start showing there life.

The dollar coin life might be 7 years or so. That is till a hell of a long longer than the bill.

[Prof.]

Cool, but none of it will matter when the dollar disappears and gets replaced by the Amero...
I'm kinda scared about that.:(

Goodbye good ol' USofA:(

*puts head in pillow and cries*

[Spievy]

So that you cannot bleach a $1 and use that to make a $100 bill.

Exactly... Also another reason for Coin dollars.

[CalBoy]

Exactly... Also another reason for Coin dollars.

It's not so easy to just "bleach" a note. You'd have to be able to reproduce the watermarks and strip, which are imbedded between the fibers of the cotton.

It's a very complex process; you certainly can't create counterfeit bills with some bleach and green ink.

[dansgil]

As a Canadian, I would prefer if the loonie and toonie were replaced by a bill. Coins can be very annoying when you have $8 or $9 of change in your pocket.

[EricNau]

I, for one, would love it if the dollar bill was replaced by a dollar coin. Coins are more efficient to produce, and they don't get spit out by vending machines.

The only problem with coins is really carrying them around (mostly for men, as women have a purses which can fit just about everything :p), however, I've already taken this into consideration: the added weight of dollar coins can easily be offset by ridding the world of pennies, which I'm convinced have no purpose other than to annoy me.

[Spievy]

It's not so easy to just "bleach" a note. You'd have to be able to reproduce the watermarks and strip, which are imbedded between the fibers of the cotton.

It's a very complex process; you certainly can't create counterfeit bills with some bleach and green ink.

True.. but it is still possible, maybe not every security measure but the bill might not raise a flag to the cashier that does not check every security feature. I have NEVER seen a cashier hold a bill up to the light to check for watermark. I have only seen cashiers use the pen test (if that).

BTW i am one of the few FOR Dollar coins. I prefer them.

[cleanup]

I only find it annoying to carry around coins when I have an utter shatload of them and they weigh my pocket down so much that I just dump them in a little pocket in my messenger bag.

But honestly, I don't see how I could live without them. I think I'd find using bills as dollars ridiculous. Especially one dollar. I suppose it just seems natural to me that any denomination less than $5 should be in a tiny, can-go-anywhere form.

... ridding the world of pennies, which I'm convinced have no purpose other than to annoy me.

When I lived in China, I loved how there were never prices that were multiples of 0.01 or 0.05. The smallest denomination was a tenth. And even then, most things' prices were rounded to the nearest whole RMB (so instead of paying $139.99, you'd just pay $139, although occasionally you're run into an annoying $139.90, at which point you get the equivalent of a dime back instead of a penny, which doesn't solve much, but it's usually the former case of rounding to the nearest whole number).

[RedTomato]

I am a fan of this idea. I think braille is the way to go.

Braille is useful, but remember that many blind and partially sighted people don't know braille. It's very hard to learn if you're someone who has gone blind later in life.

I'm not blind, but I find differently sized notes very useful - I can distinguish them by touch in my pocket, and it makes instantaneous visual identification much easier - I only have to see one end of the bill in the cashier's hand, and I know what note it is.

On a trip to the USA, I had to inspect the face of every bill before handing it over, (or accepting it as change) as they're all the same colour and size.

[Plymouthbreezer]

The massive "5" looks lame...

[IC3D]

Looks cool, but the euro takes the cake!

[CalBoy]

Braille is useful, but remember that many blind and partially sighted people don't know braille. It's very hard to learn if you're someone who has gone blind later in life.

That's true, but I think Braille also adds a nice counter-counterfeit feature to the notes. So there's no reason not to have Braille in combo with something else.

On a trip to the USA, I had to inspect the face of every bill before handing it over, (or accepting it as change) as they're all the same colour and size.

I think it's one of those things you adjust to or just know as an American. You recognize the faces, the pattern, whatever. But I can see how it can be confusing coming from a multi-sized and multi-colored currencies like the Sterling or the Loonie.

[brad.c]

...Coins are more efficient to produce, and they don't get spit out by vending machines. ...

I think you've nicked the nail on the head there. $1 and $2 coins allow higher fees for vending machines, parking meters, etc, with less weight per transaction.

[CalBoy]

with less weight per transaction.

Wouldn't coin-centric transactions be heavier?

[Rodimus Prime]

I'm not blind, but I find differently sized notes very useful - I can distinguish them by touch in my pocket, and it makes instantaneous visual identification much easier - I only have to see one end of the bill in the cashier's hand, and I know what note it is.

On a trip to the USA, I had to inspect the face of every bill before handing it over, (or accepting it as change) as they're all the same colour and size.

It takes getting used to. To me going over to bills in Europe would be confusing. I would have to look at all the bills closely to make sure I was not messing up.

For use bills. I can tell at a glance what each bill is as I would figure most Americans can. The being either side of the bill. The reason for it is it is what I am used to and as such our eyes and brain know a few key details about every bill and know what to look for to know what is what.

[memyself&i]

yes the new $5 bills are worth $10 it is just hard to find places to do it. One day one place will exchange them and another day they wont

[gkarris]

Still basically green, still the same size as all the other notes. Meh.

I love our brightly coloured, different sized notes.

Why can't we have some cool looking colorful bills, like the Euro for example?

Why is our currency so fugly? If they can no longer make the US Dollar worth anything, can't they at least make it pretty? :p

They were going to revamp all the US bills (but keep the $1 bill the same, and "Green), but someone over at the Treasury said that colorizing the bills would cost too much money in different colored ink.

I'm going to try to find the link. I would've been way cool if they did it.

[IDANNY]

Unlike other currencies where the bills are obviously carved from stone?

I dont like coins cause they are cumbersome to carry around also I like how all the bills in the U.S. are the same size. It is just more convenient for me. To each his own. btw I know we have coins but I find when I travel I end up with a lot more.

[seenew]

yes the new $5 bills are worth $10 it is just hard to find places to do it. One day one place will exchange them and another day they wont

.....?

[themadchemist]

So do I. Please send me some.

Me too. But if the mail is too much of a pain, I'll take an electronic transfer, too. :p

[ErikCLDR]

I prefer bills to coins.

Coins are easily lost, you can't organize them in your pocket, and they're heavier.

Dollar Bills all the way. When I was in europe I was overwhelmed by the number of coins that would end up in my pocket.

Another thing I've notice about American money is that it's hard for foreigners to use, especially those that do not speak English. On the dime it says "One Dime", but nowhere does it say "10 Cents". The Quarter says "Quarter Dollar", and if you don't know what the word quarter means because you don't speak english... then you don't really know what it is. Also why are pennies and nickels worth less then dimes yet they are bigger.

[astrostu]

Also why are pennies and nickels worth less then dimes yet they are bigger.

Historically, the coin size was dictated by the amount of precious metal in it. Half Dimes, Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars, and Dollar coins all were based on the amount of silver (about 89.24% silver to 10.76% copper). So you can imagine that the half dime was quite small. Cents and Half Cents were based upon 100% copper, worth far less than silver, and so the coins were actually quite large (a Large Cent (1856/7 and earlier) was around the size of today's quarter dollar).

In 1857, the first regular-issue Small Cent (just slightly larger than today's cent) was made of a copper-nickel alloy that made it a lighter copper-color than traditional cents, and it was re-done in 1860 to be the color we generally associate with cents today. Later that decade, the first 5-cent coin that WASN'T a Half Dime was issued, and it was the now-familiar copper-nickel alloy that we associate with "nickels" today. The dime and larger denominations were still made with silver and still maintained their sizes based on the amount of precious metal.

So that's why the cent and nickel are larger than the dime.

[David G.]

Another thing I've notice about American money is that it's hard for foreigners to use, especially those that do not speak English. On the dime it says "One Dime", but nowhere does it say "10 Cents". The Quarter says "Quarter Dollar", and if you don't know what the word quarter means because you don't speak english... then you don't really know what it is. Also why are pennies and nickels worth less then dimes yet they are bigger.

Memorization for the win!

[gkarris]

Memorization for the win!

I don't know.

When I was up in Canada, seeing "the Queen" on all the heads sides of the coins I was massively confused... :eek:

[David G.]

I don't know.

When I was up in Canada, seeing "the Queen" on all the heads sides of the coins I was massively confused... :eek:

Ah, yes. But wasn't ErikCLDR talking about American coins.:p

[iJohnHenry]

They were going to revamp all the US bills (but keep the $1 bill the same, and "Green), but someone over at the Treasury said that colorizing the bills would cost too much money in different colored ink.

Plus, it might be mistaken for Monopoly money, which is where it seems to be headed lately.

I agree with the different sized and coloured notes for the Euro.

We will do that here, some day, after we spend millions for R & D.

Stupid Canadian beaurocrats.

[spacepower7]

Just stumbled upon this thread.

I always use plastic (visa/mastercard) and finally got one of these for the first time last month.

Had to do a doubletake.

[MattyMac]

Just stumbled upon this thread.

I always use plastic (visa/mastercard) and finally got one of these for the first time last month.

Had to do a doubletake.
Yeah it's pretty wild. Almost appears fake.

[iCantwait]

ahhhhh, the aussie note, cant rip it and cant ruin it in the wet, sweet colours. Only one problem, who are the people on the notes???:D

[idyll]

I personally like the new bill a lot

[nsbio]

I personally like the new bill a lot

I personally like a big stack of them - the bigger the stack the more I am liking it. :D