Coin of the Realm: Changing U.S. Coins

Over the past 40 years, many countries have replaced lower-denomination notes with coins as a means of providing a financial benefit to their governments. Replacing the $1 note with a $1 coin would provide a net benefit to the U.S. government of hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Most recently, in 2000, the Government Accountability Office estimated a net benefit to the government of about $522 million annually. Additionally, there have been several attempts to pass legislation that would place the likeness of President Reagan on U.S. coin or currency, as has been done with other deceased Presidents. This book examines the societal effects such replacements would have, as well as the history of the current design of circulating coins and currency and the statutory requirements for designs and portrait changes, and possible issues raised by legislation.