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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;yakpoo, post: 1271492, member: 18157&quot;]The purpose of coins is to support commerce. The value of coins have fallen so far since 1964 that today&#039;s quarter has the purchasing power of just over a penny in 1964. If we decide to revalue our coinage (as is regularly done in other countries), there are some issues to consider...</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Size/utility</p><p>2. Confusion with current coinage</p><p>3. Vending machine usage</p><p>4. Counterfeiting</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m not sure if we can change the shape of coins much without significant modifications to vending machines design. However, we might consider bi-metal coins like some European coins. That might provide enough size, weight, and appearance changes to address confusion, utility, and vending machine issues.</p><p><br /></p><p>All coins contain materials of some value. Fiat currency simply needs to be made of materials significantly lower than the face value. A $20 bi-metal coin with a copper center and 40% silver around the edge would cost quite a bit less than $20 to produce...probably about 50¢...but then counterfeiting becomes and issue.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are very cheap passive RFID devices that can (most likely) be encased within high value coins. They can be remotely detected with RFID-enabled cash registers and vending machines. Stolen money could be automatically detected when the thief attempts to spend it...an additional benefit.</p><p><br /></p><p>Silver is used in the medical industry for its natural anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties. The use of silver coinage is far cleaner than paper money...made from 25% linen and 75% cotten (basically, a handkerchief). </p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m not saying these are the best ideas...or even good ideas, but we&#039;ll have to do something about our coinage eventually...no reason we shouldn&#039;t start thinking about it (I hope someone is).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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