State quarters redux

Like a whole lot of other Americans,and maybe the occasional international numismatist, I faithfully collected all 50 of the so-called state quarters that have come out over the last decade or so.

Then I learned that our Mint has decided to continue the program for another year, honoring the various territories of the U.S.

Now this: Impressed with success, the Mint is going to start it all over again, this time with each quarter to honor some significant natural landmark in the respective state. Maybe they'll get done with that and honor specific celebrities and then local inventions and then who knows what? The old eagle might never land on the backside of the coin again.

Meanwhile, though only numismatist nerds know about it, the Mint is also chugging out dollar coins with the images of our presidents, one by one, and in addition, another series of dollar coins with a changing panorama of Native American motifs.

And of course, this year we honor the late Pres. Lincoln's 200th birthday, with a series of scenes on the penny.

Must be bewildering for anyone not native-born, trying to keep up with the appearance of American coinage.

I am all for variety on coinage and I recognize that American coins have been quite boring for most of our lifetimes.

But is this overkill? And do we risk turning our coinage into the grown-up equivalent of baseball or Pokemon cards, mere tokens without the dignity that a nation's coinage should possess?

Heft an old Eisenhower dollar sometime. Now that is a coin!

I'd like to see them put gold and silver back into the alloy. Make our coins be intrisically worth something again, not mere shiny disks of tin and zinc dependent for their worth upon an ever more shaky national economy.

A lot of people may be filling up pickle jars with these fancy new designs. It's fine for fun but as an economic investment, don't believe the hype.

Honoring Native American history and culture on coinage

Were you aware that the U.S.Mint is releasing beautiful dollar coins into circulation, celebrating the history and culture of Native Americans? Sacagawea adorns the front and various themes will be depicted on the back.

Chances are, you had no idea. I know I didn't, not until I stumbled upon a website about it just the other day. I've had enough trouble keeping up with the Presidential Dollar Coins, which are barely available.

The U.S. Mint has about the worst, most lack-luster public relations operation that I have ever seen. When was the last time you saw a commercial about these beautiful new coins? Most banks barely carry them -- and good luck finding them anywhere else or in your change.

Using dollar coins saves the government money over the far more fragile paper bills. But apparently the government doesn't care enough to do much of anything about it.