Mint Makes Big Push for $1 Coin

Still trying to sell Americans on the idea of toting around a pocket full of $1 coins, the U.S. Mint will try even harder in four cities over the coming few months. Residents in Austin, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; and Charlotte, North Carolina will be courted with special events at local attractions, as well as full-blown media blitzes intended to make them aware of the benefits of regularly using the $1 coin.

"When each of us spends the $1 Coin, we make a difference for our country, because the $1 Coin is durable and using it saves the Nation money," said Mint Director Ed Moy in a press release. "We hope our pilot cities lead the change!"

According to the GAO, a circulating coin lasts about 30 years, compared to 17 months for a paper dollar. GAO has estimated that replacing all paper $1 bills with dollar coins would save taxpayers $522.2 million per year.

The $1 coin the mint will be pushing it its blitz is the Presidential $1 Coin series, the replacement for the Sacagawea Dollar. The mint stopped striking the Sacagawea Dollar in 2002, when supply far exceeded demand for the coin.

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