ezra klein notes that using the dollar coin would save the u.s. treasury a lot of money. but the dollar coin won't catch on unless they stop making the dollar bill. that's how canada did it. as long as there is a paper or metal option, the people will prefer the paper. if you really want to save that $500 million a year, they need to eliminate the more expensive choice.
i've been wondering whether someone at the u.s. treasury isn't considering eliminating the dollar bill. it's been about 15 years since the u.s. treasury redesigned all u.s. bills (moving to the ones with big off-center heads). they did all the bills that are currently in print except the one dollar bill. they even redesigned the redesign for those other non-one dollar bills (eliminating the oval surrounding the now off-center head and adding a bit more color), but the dollar bill still looks the same as it ever was.
maybe they don't want to pay for a redesigned $1 because its days are numbered? but if so, what's taking them so long? and if they get rid of the dollar bill in favor of a coin, can we at least get a toonie?
