US Mint, etc

The US Mint has completely discontinued the direct ship program. However, banks still carry dollar coins, and are willing to give them out to anyone who wants them. In this light, and given the positive response to the coins when I use them, I will continue to use them for purchases.

Bad News For Dollar Coins

From the US mint site:

"The United States Mint will implement an order fulfillment charge of $12.50 for each box of $1 Coins purchased through the $1 Coin Direct Ship Program effective November 15. This new charge is a result of our continual effort to review programs to ensure that they meet our commitment to prudent fiscal management on behalf of the American public."

That's unfortunate. I like the dollar coins but I'm not willing to spend money to use them, and imagine a lot of others will feel the same way.

sticker + victory = sticktory?

Good news - I ordered some "Use $1 coin stickers here", and gave them to the owner of Xi'an Famous Foods... They are now on display there:

Blog: Phase 2

The past few months have shown that in New York City, $1 coins are easily spent and accepted. Rather than continue to document every place that accepts the coins, I'm going to switch the focus of the blog to posts that are of interest because (a) the reaction was very positive, or (b) they were not accepted at some venue.

I've also received some "Use $1 coins here" stickers from the US Mint which I'm distributing to stores who positively receive the coins.

dos hermanos

Place: Dos Hermanos
Number of coins: 12 + 20
Accepted: Yes

I went here for some tacos, and when the cashier saw the dollar coins, he offerred to buy some more off me. Wow!

Arrrr

Place: Rocco's
Number of coins: 5
Accepted: Yes

"Hey, look at this guy, payin' me with these goold dubloons!"

torsu

Place: Cambodian Cuisine Torsu
Number of coins: 2
Accepted: Yes

A $20 bill plus 2 coins for food for 3 people...

sausage

Place: Baczinski Meat Market
Number of coins: 10
Accepted: Yes

The cashier said "we have a guy who collects these"!

Various groceries compacted

Place: Grocery store under Manhattan bridge
Number of coins: 3
Accepted: Yes

Place; Bakery in Chinatown
Number of coins: 9
Accepted: Yes

Place: Farmer's market
Number of coins: 8
Accepted: Yes

4/20

Place: Four and Twenty Blackbirds
Number of coins: 12
Accepted: Yes
Noted interest: Yes

I think the dollar coins actually went into a section of the register with other dollar coins...!

dumbpling

Place: The Dumpling Man
Number of coins: 12
Accepted: Yes

I got some dumplings, and also talked about the coins with the cashier. She hadn't known that they were all different until I mentioned it, then started looking at them. Also discussed the new penny, and what impact all these different coin designs has on the economy. Does it stimulate it or is it wasteful spending?

Cheese

Place: East Village Cheese
Number of coins: 9
Accepted: Yes

Second purchase at this famously cheap cheese shop - no hassle.

designs

My early favorite presidential dollar coin, Frontal Jowly Lincoln, probably is still my favorite:


but also fun is Fat John Adams:

torsu

Place: Cambodian Cuisine Torsu
Number of coins: 16
Accepted: Yes

Back for another visit - and the moneyman again took the dollar coins with a slight smirk.

english creme

Place: Dessert Truck on 3rd ave
Number of coins: 6
Accepted: Yes

I bought a chocolate bread pudding with bacon creme anglaise. When I handed the guy the coins, he said "Whoa, cool!"..

gelato

Place: Cones
Number of coins: 11
Accepted: Yes

No problem buying a pint of zabayone & corn gelato.

Villa

Place: Villabate
Number of coins: 3
Accepted: Yes

Payment for two scoops of gelato - torrone and rainbow. A friend who paid after me was concerned that he would get the 3 dollar coins as change - but that's not what happened.

xi xi

Place: Xi'an Famous Foods (St Marks)
Number of coins: 16
Accepted: Yes

"Oh good, I was running out!"

phayul

Place: Phayul
Number of coins: 6
Accepted: Yes

Part of our payment was made using 6 dollar coins. No problems here!

Karepan

Place: Zaiya
Number of coins: 6
Accepted: Yes

Some pastry: the coins were accepted without even a curious glance.