US Mint goes green

December 5, 11:26 AMSacramento Environmental News ExaminerHarry Osibin

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(AP File Photo)

The United States mint has revived the ongoing campaign to popularize dollar coins for general use.  In spite of the stunning failures of the Susan B. Anthony and Sakagawea issues of one-dollar coins, the money people want to phase out paper and go all coins, all the time.  The mint wants to do away with"folding money".

In this year’s restart of the acceptance campaign, mint officials have selected four cities — Austin, TX; Grand Rapids, MI; Portland, OR and Charlotte, NC — as test markets.

The latest scheme takes a "green" approach, marketing how paper dollars waste resources both monetary and environmental.  Citizens of the test markets are encouraged to use "100 percent recyclable" coins that last decades instead of 21 months, as is the lifespan for the typical paper dollar.

"This is the first program of its kind to inspire shoppers, diners and commuters to use one-dollar coins in their normal, everyday activities," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy as quoted on the website CoinNews.net..

The numismatist site argues, “Marketing the coins as a green solution will not begin a viral surge to use them.”  Taking away the choice of paper or metal is the only inducement guaranteed to work.

Speaking of filthy lucre: for those who have seen the ads for the "Obama Collectors' Dollar Coin” it should be noted that the federal government is not connected to this promotion.  In very plain terms, the marketeers have covered a genuine dollar coin by plastic, added some artwork that depicts the future president and put it up for sale.  The “valuable” collector’s piece is worth...one dollar!

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